Neanderthal bones show signs of cannibalism
Scientists have long known that our Neanderthal ancestors buried their dead. But new research shows that, in some places, they may have butchered the bodies for food instead.
Archaeologists have found the first evidence of Neanderthal cannibalism in northern Europe, according to a press release.
Researchers estimate the remains to be between 40,500 and 45,500 years old. Before this discovery, there was evidence of ancient cannibalism at El Sidrón and Zafarraya in Spain, and at the French sites Moula-Guercy and Les Pradelles. These remains were found in the Goyet caves in Belgium.
Scientists believe the remains show signs of cannibalism because of cuts and notches on the bone. These markings point to butchering by human hands.
Additionally, nearby remains of horses and reindeer were marked up in a similar way. Researchers say the bodies of all three species were skinned and cut up, and their bone marrow was removed. The Neanderthals also used one human thigh bone and three shin bones to shape stone tools.
"The big differences in the behavior of these people on the one hand, and the close genetic relationship between late European Neanderthals on the other, raise many questions about the social lives and exchange between various groups," Hervé Bocherens, one of the lead researchers on the study, told CBS News.
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