Recent discoveries in a cave have shed light on the disturbing behavior of a distant human ancestor, showing evidence that they practiced cannibalism within their own communities, consuming both adults and children.
A team of researchers from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES) conducted excavations at the Gran Dolina cave within the Archaeological Site of Atapuerca in northern Spain. During their dig, they unearthed two dozen bones and teeth, including fragments of skulls, spines, arms, legs, and three teeth belonging to the ancient human ancestor Homo Antecessor, who lived between 770,000 and 1.2 million years ago.
According to the institute’s statement, the collection of bones suggests that this specific group of Antecessors engaged in cannibalism, with the bones showing clear marks of butchery using stone tools. Previous findings at the site also indicated similar practices on juvenile remains, but the latest discovery on adult bones indicates that cannibalism was practiced across different age groups within the community.
The assemblage of bones further revealed that the cave was inhabited by a larger group of 13 to 15 individuals, challenging previous estimations.
These new findings provide valuable insights into the daily life and social dynamics of this ancient hominid species, expanding on decades of research. The discovery of additional bones, including the first ulna ever found at the site, alongside fragments of other limb bones, will enhance archaeologists’ understanding of the ancient community that occupied the area nearly a million years ago.
The lead archaeologist at IPHES, Palmira Saladie, highlighted the significance of these discoveries, emphasizing that the findings mark a key advancement in their study of the site, offering a more comprehensive view of Homo Antecessor’s biology, demographics, and behavior.
In addition to human remains, the excavations also yielded a variety of stone tools crafted from flint, quartz, and sandstone, as well as bones from different animal species like hyenas, deer, beavers, horses, and rhinos.
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