Ancient human relative cannibalized both adults and children in a cave in Spain 850,000 years ago, fossils reveal
Newly analyzed fossils from the Gran Dolina site in Spain reveal that Homo antecessor cannibalism was not restricted to the young, but included adults.
Where it stands
Current understanding of prehistoric survival behaviors is shifting as researchers confirm that Homo antecessor consumed both adults and children 850,000 years ago. This discovery challenges previous archaeological assumptions that suggested a dietary focus limited to adolescents. The findings suggest that these early human relatives maintained these practices across all age groups within their community.
Evidence for this behavior stems from cut marks identified on adult bones unearthed at the Aurora layer in Gran Dolina. According to ScienceBlog.com, the discovery of 24 additional fossils has raised the estimated minimum number of individuals at the site to between 13 and 15. Live Science and Gizmodo highlight that this broader scope of cannibalism fundamentally alters the established narrative regarding the group's social and dietary patterns in ancient Spain.
Archaeologists are now examining whether these findings reflect consistent nutritional habits or specific environmental pressures unique to that period. Coverage from UA.NEWS and Archaeology News Online Magazine does not yet specify the precise motivations behind these events, leaving the specific circumstances of the consumption open for future analysis.
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Answered
Where were the fossils discovered?
The fossils were found at the Gran Dolina site, specifically within the Aurora layer in Spain.
How old are the fossils?
The remains date back 850,000 years.
What is the new estimated number of individuals at the site?
The minimum number of Homo antecessor individuals in the Aurora layer is now estimated to be between 13 and 15.
Sources (5)
- Bones of adults and children of a human ancestor, showing signs of cannibalism UA.NEWS · 1d ago
- New Homo antecessor fossils show adults were also victims of cannibalism in ancient Spain Archaeology News Online Magazine · 1d ago
- Cut marks on adult bone show the cannibalism at Gran Dolina 850,000 years ago was not limited to children and adolescents, and 24 new Homo antecessor fossils raise the minimum number of individuals in the Aurora layer to between 13 and 15 ScienceBlog.com · 1d ago
- Archaeologists Thought These Early Cannibals Mostly Ate Children. They Were Wrong Gizmodo · 1d ago
- Ancient human relative cannibalized both adults and children in a cave in Spain 850,000 years ago, fossils reveal Live Science · 1d ago
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