A groundbreaking study has revealed chilling evidence of cannibalism in Poland's Maszycka Cave, dating back 18,000 years to the Magdalenian period of European prehistory. Published in the journal Scientific Reports on February 6, the research analyzed 53 bones discovered at this archaeological site near Krakow. These findings include cut marks and fractures, suggesting that cannibalistic practices were an integral part of the culture during this era.
The study examined bones belonging to at least ten individuals—six adults and four children. Researchers found that 68% of these bones displayed signs of manipulation after death, including cuts from scalping, defleshing, and removal of ears and jaws. The injuries, which were not caused by carnivorous animals or accidental trampling, indicate a deliberate effort to exploit the bodies for nutritional purposes.
"The location and frequency of the cut marks and the intentional fracturing of the skeleton clearly show nutritional exploitation of the bodies." – Francesc Marginedas
The evidence suggests that bones were prepared and extracted for their edible parts. This study implies that cannibalism was a significant aspect of the Magdalenian period's culture. During this time, which spanned from 23,000 to 11,000 years ago, Europe saw an increase in human populations alongside a scarcity of resources. Researchers propose that territorial tensions and violent struggles may have driven communities toward cannibalistic behaviors.
Francesc Marginedas, a doctoral student at the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES), led the research. The findings highlight that the incidence of cannibalism in Maszycka Cave was not necessarily linked to survival needs. This suggests that the practice could have been part of ritual activities or intergroup violence dynamics.
"In prehistoric contexts, it could be in response to survival needs or to ritual practices, or even to the dynamics of intergroup violence." – Palmira Saladié
The study posits that cannibalism might have been more widespread during the Magdalenian period than previously understood. Other European sites from the same era also exhibit signs of such practices, reinforcing the notion that this behavior was not an isolated phenomenon.
