Archaeologists Uncover Evidence of Cannibalism in Neolithic Spain

Archaeologists excavating in the El Mirador cave in Spain have made a disturbing discovery that sheds light on violence during the Neolithic period. During their dig, they uncovered a collection of human bones, revealing evidence of cannibalism. The remains, dated between 5,573 and 5,709 years ago, show signs of human bite marks, knife cuts, and fractures consistent with marrow extraction. A study published in the Scientific Reports journal details these findings.

The remains belong to at least 11 individuals, including children, suggesting a family group. Researchers propose that this group was killed, skinned, and subsequently cooked in the cave, indicating a horrific event of cannibalism among their contemporaries. This incident is believed to have occurred toward the end of the Neolithic period, which lasted until around 2000 BC.

Insights Into Neolithic Conflict

The evidence suggests that the cannibalism was likely driven by conflict rather than ritualistic practices or famine. According to Francesc Marginedas, a co-author of the study and an IPHES evolutionary anthropologist, “This was neither a funerary tradition nor a response to extreme famine.” He emphasized that the rapidity of the events points to a violent episode, possibly stemming from conflicts between neighboring farming communities.

The team conducted chemical analyses on the bones, which helped identify the victims as individuals from the local region. The findings indicate that the victims were likely part of a nuclear or extended family, with ages ranging from seven to 50 years. This suggests that they were killed in a relatively short time frame, adding to the horrific nature of the discovery.

Understanding Violence in Early Societies

This discovery offers rare insights into the nature of conflict-driven cannibalism during the Neolithic. As Antonio Rodríguez-Hidalgo, another co-author and archaeologist at IPHES, stated, “Conflict and the development of strategies to manage and prevent it are part of human nature.” He noted that records from both ethnography and archaeology demonstrate that even in small-scale societies, violent incidents can lead to acts as extreme as cannibalism.

The findings from El Mirador cave contribute to a broader understanding of how early human societies dealt with conflict. They raise important questions about the social dynamics of the Neolithic period and the lengths to which communities might go when faced with violence. As research continues, these bones serve as a poignant reminder of the darker aspects of human history.