The cannibalism It was a common practice 18 thousand years ago: according to a research led byGöttingen University (Germany), human beings of Magdalenianthe last company of the European Superior Paleolithic, they feed us similar deceased. The tests were collected among the human remains found in the cave of Maszycka in Poland.
The study was conducted in particular on the burial rituals of late societies was glacial in central Europe and found Signs of manipulated human remains In the Polish cave, an important excavation site for the late top Paleolithic, which indicate a systematic dissection of the deceased and cannibalism.
In the same cave, more than 100 years ago, the researchers had discovered human bones between stone utensils and bone together with the remains of animals driven during the glacial era and these discoveries had been associated with a late society was glacial in France, note as Magdalenianawhich existed between 20,000 and 14,500 years ago.
Subsequently, the excavations of the 60s led to the discovery of a greater number of human remains, leading to a total of 63 bones of ten individuals dating back to 18,000 years Available for analyzes, one of the most important human remains collections of the late Superior Paleolithic Paleolithic.
By sophisticated modern techniques, the team identified 36 bone fragments with Section signs immediately after deathin particular signs of cutting on the fragments of the skull, which indicate how the muscle attacks and the scalp had been removed before shattering long bones to reach the bone marrow.
The position and frequency of the cutting signs, as well as the targeted crushing of the bones, leave no doubt that their intention was that of extract nutrients from the dead
explains Francesc marginadasfirst author of the research
On the methods and above all on the reasons behind the practice of cannibalism in this prehistoric era, the hypotheses are different.
The wide range of artistic tests indicates favorable living conditions during this period. It therefore seems unlikely that cannibalism was practiced out of necessity – comments Thomas Terberger, co -author of the work – it is possible that this was a Example of violent cannibalism. After the last glacial era, there was a population growth, and this may have led to Conflicts for resources and territories. And there are evidence of isolated episodes of cannibalism in relation to violent conflicts. In addition, human remains were found mixed with debris of settlements in the Maszycka cave, which indicates that the dead were not treated with respect
Although further insights will be needed, these results are already an important step forward in our understanding of Cultural development and group dynamics in the late society was glacial.
The work was published on Scientific Reports.
Sources: Göttingen / Scientific Reports University
