by The beheaded remains of a child, which was discovered at the archaeological site Gran Dolina in Burgos, Spain, can be the earliest evidence of cannibalism in Europe.
The vertebrae of the child, which was dated 850,000 years ago, clearly shows cut brands that match the deliberate beheading and indicates that the old person can be cannibal.
The vertebra was discovered on the UNESCO World Heritage Site together with 10 other remains, all of which were attributed to human ancestors Homo predecessor.
The sediments of the site were divided into 11 layers from TD-1 to TD-11, with excavations at TD-6 level over 160 bone fragments of at least 11 human ancestors of 850,000 to 780,000 years.
The remains of the child show the earliest evidence of cannibalism in Europe (iPhes)
In the recent excavation, scientists with decree traces and deliberate fractures about the children’s remains, typical indicators for the use of meat, similar to animal bones that were consumed by the same old human species.
The child was probably between 2 and 5 years old when it died, scientists say.
“This case is particularly striking, not only because of the child’s age, but also because of the precision of the cut stamps,” said archaeologist Palmira Saladié from Iphes.
“The vertebra presents clear cuts in important anatomical places for the deeds of the head. It is direct proof that the child has been processed like any other prey.”
The world’s first known case of human cannibalism was found 30 years ago. “What we are documenting now is the continuity of this behavior: the treatment of the dead was not extraordinary, but repeated,” said Dr. Saladié, specialist for prehistoric cannibalism.
Cut markings on vertebral bones (iPhes)
The latest findings indicate a systematic process of human meat consumption Homo predecessor Who was maybe ancestors of Homo HeidelbergensisThe researcher said that in turn led to the Neanderthals.
They also indicate that early people probably exploit their colleagues as a food resource and perhaps also as a means of territorial control.
In the Gran Dolina cave department, in which the child’s remains were found, scientists also discovered the fossilized excretion of hyena, which pointed out to an alternating occupation of the location by carnivore and humans.
The researchers suspect that more human remains could be undiscovered in the unaffected layers of the cave. “Every year we discover new evidence that force us to live, how they died and how the dead were treated almost a million years ago,” said Dr. Saladié.
