Early humans ate children 850,000 years ago, scientists find chilling evidence of cannibalism
Scientists say the find confirms long-standing theories that Homo antecessor, an early human species, engaged in cannibalism, including of their own young, as a survival strategy or social behavior.
Early humans ate children like prey, bone analysis shows
The excavation, led by experts from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES), revealed a small vertebra with cut marks at anatomical points typically associated with the decapitation and dismemberment of prey.
According to Dr. Palmira Saladié, co-director of the excavation, the markings show clear signs that the child's body was processed similarly to animals consumed by early humans.
The site has yielded bones from several individuals over the past 30 years. Many of these show defleshing marks and human bite imprints, including those from adults. The discovery strengthens the view that cannibalism was not an isolated incident but a regular practice among Homo antecessor, a key human ancestor species that lived between 1.2 million and 800,000 years ago.
A chilling window into early human behaviour
Homo antecessor had a smaller brain and more robust build compared to modern humans, but may have already developed right-handedness and a rudimentary symbolic language. Experts believe cannibalism may have served multiple functions, such as nutritional need, ritual practice, or social control. This find could be one of the oldest direct pieces of evidence for systematic cannibalism among human ancestors.
Similar discoveries in other parts of the world
Cannibalism in early human history is not confined to Spain. Archaeological sites in Kenya have revealed butchered human bones dating back to 1.45 million years. In the UK, skulls found in Somerset's Cheddar Gorge suggest early humans fashioned drinking vessels from human craniums. The latest discovery at Atapuerca adds a disturbing new layer to our understanding of ancient survival and social dynamics.
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Early humans ate children 850,000 years ago, scientists find chilling evidence of cannibalism
Archaeologists in Spain have unearthed gruesome new evidence suggesting that early human ancestors may have cannibalized children nearly 850,000 years ago. The startling discovery was made at the Gran Dolina cave site in Atapuerca, northern Spain, where researchers found a child's neck bone bearing precise butchery marks, clear indications that the child, aged between two and four, had been killed and processed for food. Scientists say the find confirms long-standing theories that Homo antecessor, an early human species, engaged in cannibalism, including of their own young, as a survival strategy or social behavior. Early humans ate children like prey, bone analysis shows The excavation, led by experts from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES), revealed a small vertebra with cut marks at anatomical points typically associated with the decapitation and dismemberment of prey. According to Dr. Palmira Saladié, co-director of the excavation, the markings show clear signs that the child's body was processed similarly to animals consumed by early humans. The site has yielded bones from several individuals over the past 30 years. Many of these show defleshing marks and human bite imprints, including those from adults. The discovery strengthens the view that cannibalism was not an isolated incident but a regular practice among Homo antecessor, a key human ancestor species that lived between 1.2 million and 800,000 years ago. A chilling window into early human behaviour Homo antecessor had a smaller brain and more robust build compared to modern humans, but may have already developed right-handedness and a rudimentary symbolic language. Experts believe cannibalism may have served multiple functions, such as nutritional need, ritual practice, or social control. This find could be one of the oldest direct pieces of evidence for systematic cannibalism among human ancestors. Similar discoveries in other parts of the world Cannibalism in early human history is not confined to Spain. Archaeological sites in Kenya have revealed butchered human bones dating back to 1.45 million years. In the UK, skulls found in Somerset's Cheddar Gorge suggest early humans fashioned drinking vessels from human craniums. The latest discovery at Atapuerca adds a disturbing new layer to our understanding of ancient survival and social dynamics.
News18
4 days ago
- News18
Ancient Humans Cannibalised Children 850,000 Years Ago, Scientists Find Butchered Remains
Last Updated: Archaeologists found evidence of infant cannibalism from 850,000 years ago at Gran Dolina cave. A human neck bone with cut marks indicated intentional decapitation. Spanish archaeologists found evidence of 'infant cannibalism', around 850,000 years ago. Researchers discovered a human neck bone while digging at the Gran Dolina cave site in Atapuerca, northern Spain. The remains shows clear cut marks consistent with intentional decapitation. 'This case is particularly striking, not only because of the child's age, but also due to the precision of the cut marks," says Dr. Palmira Saladié, IPHES-CERCA researcher and co-director of the Gran Dolina excavation alongside Dr. Andreu Ollé. The IPHES researchers also mentioned that some bones also show defleshing marks and intentional fractures, typical indicators of meat exploitation similar to those found on animal bones consumed by these same humans. '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," Saladié added. The child was a Homo antecessor, a species that was the last link between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. Several of the other bones found over the years have cut marks. The archaeologists are certain that our ancestors were cannibals and ate children. view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 10:18 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
Ancient Humans Ate Children 850,000 Years Ago, New Discovery Reveals
In a remarkable scientific discovery, Spanish archaeologists have found evidence that human ancestors ate children, some 850,000 years ago. Digging at the Gran Dolina cave site in Atapuerca, northern Spain, the researchers discovered a human neck bone belonging to a child aged between two and four years old, with clear butchery marks, suggesting that the small children may have been devoured clean. 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.'
