Humans Were Eating Each Other 18,000 Years Ago, Bones Found In Polish Cave Suggest

Did you know that human communities in the Magdalenian era, around 18,000 years ago, practiced cannibalism? Yes, you read that right – they actually ate human brains! A team of international researchers has uncovered evidence of this rather grim practice, shedding new light on the mortuary and ritual practices of ancient human history.

Our knowledge of how Upper Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers in Europe dealt with death is limited due to the scarcity of their remains in archaeological records. However, some well-preserved examples have provided insights into Magdalenian funerary activities.

Skeletal remains have been found, some covered in ochre and surrounded by grave goods. However, missing bones and disarticulated body parts suggest a more complex story. It seems that Magdalenian people intentionally selected certain body parts for unknown reasons.

Evidence shows that human bones were used for making items like skull cups and jewelry, with many specimens displaying cut marks and engravings. Scholars are divided on whether these markings indicate bone cleaning or meat preparation.

A recent study analyzed human bones at Maszycha Cave in Poland, supporting the theory of cannibalism. Using advanced 3D microscopy techniques, researchers identified cut marks and fractures consistent with meat preparation, such as the removal of muscle packets, brain, and marrow.

The team believes that the bodies were processed for consumption soon after death to prevent decomposition. The cuts on the skulls suggest the removal of scalp and flesh, while fractures indicate attempts to extract brain and marrow.

Cannibalism, a documented behavior in human evolution, may have been driven by survival needs, ritual practices, or intergroup violence. It is possible that growing tensions due to demographic expansions after the Last Glacial Maximum led to acts of “war cannibalism.”

With evidence from five sites across Europe and new findings from Maszycha Cave, researchers suggest that cannibalism was a cultural practice during the Magdalenian era. Whether it was a way to honor the dead or conquer enemies remains a topic of debate.

The study, published in Scientific Reports, highlights the complex and intriguing practices of ancient humans, offering a glimpse into a darker side of our prehistoric ancestors.