Ancient Humans Ate Children 850,000 Years Ago, New Discovery Reveals
The team from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES) stated that the site of the marks on the neck bone suggests the youngster was decapitated. Notably, the body parts of the child belong to Homo antecessor, believed to be the last common ancestor of both Homo sapiens and Neanderthals.
"This case is particularly striking, not only because of the child's age, but also due to the precision of the cut marks," said Dr Palmira Saladie, the co-director of the excavation.
"The vertebra presents clear incisions at key anatomical points for disarticulating the head. It is direct evidence that the child was processed like any other prey."
Although cannibalism is well documented in early humans, it is unusual to find evidence of a child being eaten. If the discovery stands verified, it could mark the earliest evidence of the practice found to date.
'What we are documenting now is the continuity of that behaviour: the treatment of the dead was not exceptional, but repeated,' said Ms Saladie.
Stockier and shorter on average than modern humans, the Homo antecessor lived between 1.2 million and 800,000 years ago. Their brain size was roughly between 1,000 and 1,150 cubic centimetres, which is smaller than the average 1,350 cubic centimetres brain size of people today.
"The new find reinforces the hypothesis that these early humans exploited their congeners as a food resource," the researchers stated.
'Every year we uncover new evidence that forces us to rethink how our ancestors lived, how they died, and how the dead were treated nearly a million years ago.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Green or blue eggs? These hen breeds will surprise you...their names are..., found in this country...
Green or blue eggs? These hen breeds will surprise you… their names are…, found in this country… Mystery of Blue and Green Eggs: We have grown up eating white eggs like any other normal person. Then, after some time, we were introduced to brown eggs or 'desi eggs', with the belief that they are more nutritious and contain more protein. However, it is just a myth. Most of us have seen an ostrich egg that is massive in size and looks like an egg from a dinosaur. And the small ones from ducks—some people prefer to eat duck eggs. But what if we tell you that there are blue and green coloured eggs laid not by any other bird, but by hens? Yes, you read that right—blue and green coloured hen eggs. Let's know more about it. Green And Blue Eggs The size and shape of these blue and green-coloured eggs are similar to white eggs. The name of the chickens that lay blue and green eggs is Araucana. These majestic hens are found in Chile. If you are thinking that Araucana hens look different from normal chickens you are wrong. They almost look similar to normal chickens but they have feathers on their ears, and they do not have a tail. The feathers on their ears look like a big moustache, and that makes them look cute and funny. The Araucana chickens are known for laying blue as well as green eggs. Araucana Chickens Araucana chickens are known for laying blue as well as green eggs. Araucana was first seen in the year 1914 by the Spanish ornithologist Salvador Castell. These chickens were spotted in Araucana, hence, they were named Araucana. What Is The Mystery Behind Blue And Green Eggs? It is noteworthy that the exact reason for the blue or green coloured eggs is not known. However, scientists believe that these hens are susceptible to retrovirus attacks. These single RNA viruses change the structure of the genome after entering chickens. These retroviruses are called EAV-HP. Chicken eggs turn blue or green due to changes in the structure of genes. Even after the virus attack, these eggs are considered safe to eat. People in Chile love to eat these eggs with great pleasure. Olive Egger is known for producing green eggs. This breed is a result of crossbreeding of hens that lay brown and blue eggs, which gives the eggs their olive-green hue. The Olive Egger is a hybrid chicken created from the combination of Araucana and Marans breeds. These chickens are capable of laying green eggs, typically 4 to 6 large eggs each week.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Do you get frequent headaches? Study links Neanderthal DNA to headaches in modern humans
Recent research suggests that Neanderthal DNA may be linked to headaches in modern humans. When our ancestors interbred with Neanderthals, we inherited genes that may affect pain sensitivity, inflammation, and skull shape, all of which can increase the risk of chronic headaches and migraines. Some people carry Neanderthal variants that make them more sensitive to pain or more prone to inflammation, both common headache triggers. These genes, once helpful for survival, may now contribute to modern health problems. Understanding the genetic connection between Neanderthal DNA and headaches could lead to better diagnosis and treatment for headache sufferers today. What is Neanderthal DNA and how it may be the reason of headaches, study finds Source: Science Neanderthal DNA refers to the genetic material inherited from Neanderthals, our ancient human relatives who lived in Europe and Asia from around 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. When our ancestors interbred with Neanderthals, they passed on their genes to modern humans, resulting in a small but significant amount of Neanderthal DNA in our genomes. The study, which was published in the journal Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, found that certain genetic variants inherited from Neanderthals may contribute to the development of headaches. The researchers analysed the DNA of thousands of individuals and found that those with certain Neanderthal-derived genetic variants were more likely to experience headaches. How does Neanderthal DNA affect headaches 1. Genetic pre-disposition The study suggests that Neanderthal DNA may have contributed to the development of genetic variants that predispose individuals to headaches. 2. Pain sensitivity Variants of the SCN9A gene, inherited from Neanderthals, have been shown to increase pain sensitivity. People with this gene tend to experience more intense sensations from stimuli like heat, pressure, or touch. This hypersensitivity can also extend to headaches, making everyday discomfort feel more severe 3. Altered brain and skull structure Some Neanderthal-influenced skull shapes, such as flatter or smaller occipital bones, may affect how the brain fits inside the skull. This abnormal pressure can cause severe headaches, dizziness, and vision problems. 4. Inflammatory responses Some Neanderthal genes affect how the body handles inflammation. While this may have helped ancient humans fight off infections, today it could lead to chronic low-grade inflammation, a known trigger for migraine attacks and neurological pain. 5. Evolutionary trade-offs It's important to understand that some Neanderthal traits were beneficial in ancient environments, such as increased clotting, stronger immune response, or denser bones. But in the modern world, these same traits may contribute to health issues like chronic pain, autoimmune reactions, and headaches. Also read | 12 effective ways to relieve migraine pain at home without medications
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Symposium organised at BCU
The Centre for Global Language at Bengaluru City University (BCU) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a symposium on 'Innovative Teaching Methods in Foreign Language Learning' recently. S.R. Niranjana, vice-chairman of the Karnataka State Higher Education Council, who inaugurated the event, underscored the importance of interdisciplinary education and the integration of artificial intelligence in modern learning environments. During the event, new French and Spanish textbooks authored by Jyothi Venkatesh and team, and Mr. Jonathan Hernandez Castillo, was launched. Lingaraj Gandhi, former V-C OF BCU, the chief guest, praised BCU offering 14 foreign language courses. He also lauded the introduction of a new B.A. programme in English, French, and journalism.
