Ancient Human Cannibalism: New Evidence and Ethical Implications
Introduction
The discovery of cut marks on a child's cervical vertebra, dating back 850,000 years, at the Atapuerca site in Spain has shed new light on the hunting and eating habits of our ancient human relative, Homo antecessor.
Key Details
The study of the vertebra revealed that the child, estimated to be around 3 years old, was most likely a victim of cannibalism by Homo antecessor. This finding challenges previous beliefs that cannibalism was a rare occurrence in ancient humans. Researchers suggest that the child may have been killed and consumed as part of a ritual or for survival purposes.
Impact
These findings suggest that Homo antecessor was indiscriminate about its cannibalistic practices, targeting not only adults but also children. This adds to the growing evidence of the complex social behavior and cultural practices of early humans. It also raises questions about the ethical implications of studying and interpreting evidence of cannibalism in the ancient world.
