Palaeontology

Evidence of Neanderthal cannibalism found

By T.K. Randall
July 9, 2016 ·  8 comments

Neanderthals may have actually feasted on one another. Image Credit: Randii Oliver The prehistoric bone fragments, which have been radiocarbon-dated to between 40,000 and 45,000 years ago, are part of the largest haul of Neanderthal remains ever found north of the Alps.

Among the bones, scientists have discovered cuts and notches suggesting that the bodies had been skinned and butchered - a strong indication of cannibalistic practices.Other evidence of Neanderthal cannibalism had been previously unearthed at El Sidrón and Zafarraya in Spain as well as at Moula-Guercy and Les Pradelles in France.

In some cases Neanderthal remains were even found to have been turned in to bone tools.

"The big differences in the behavior of these people on the one hand, and the close genetic relationship between late European Neanderthals on the other, raise many questions about the social lives and exchange between various groups," said researcher Hervé Bocherens.

Source: CBS News | Comments (8)

Tags: Neanderthals, Humans, Cannibalism