Cannibalism In Spain During The Mesolithic Period Discovered From 30 Human Bones With Significant Markings
In Mesolithic period, the period after Ice Age and before the mid-Pleistocene warming period was a transitional period for early human beings at that time, counting from about 10,000 years ago, cannibalism may have occurred. It is in the caves of the southern coast of Spain that 30 bones were studied to have markings and significant signs that they have been eaten, not alive, but after their death. Experts and authors of the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology explain how these bones hold the signs of a cannibal leftover. The study will also enlighten the modern day society of how the lifestyle of the early human at that time may have affected this practice.
In a recent report from Archeology, the bones found in a cave in Spain shows significant proofs of cannibalism. Among them have human coprolites or the identification of human bites on human bones, burned bones, and cuts in any way that will separate the parts from the other. The efforts of anthropologist Juan V. Morales-Pérez of the University of Valencia and his colleagues was successful enough as they studied 30 substantial human bones that were buried together with other animals. There were many reasons that may have emerged as to why the early human beings of the Mesolithic period have to kill one another to survive.
Based on a report from New York Post, "anthropophagic practices" or a polite term for saying cannibalism cannot be determined. The abundance of natural resources even at the time of the Paleolithic or Stone Age period did not give the assurance to the early human beings not to kill and eat each other. And the only theory can only be about rituals since even in the Bible, people worship idols and may have tried to please or ask favor by way of human offerings.
However, ancient funerary traditions and burial rituals can often explain unusual markings given that the remains were buried in a cave for thousands of years. Whatever the reason is, the process of identifying the human bones by the team of Perez took a very long time to achieve. The next goal is to conclude whether this man-eat-man activity is evidence of desperation, survival or ritual.
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