In desperate times, cannibalism can become a last resort when food is scarce or nonexistent. Although there is not a great deal of evidence to suggest that Neanderthals regularly devoured their fellows, 43,000-year-old fossils found in a cave in northwestern Spain are strongly indicative that during periods of malnutrition, Neanderthals may have resorted to cannibalism to survive.
Harsh Climate Conditions
Before the arrival of modern humans into Europe, Neanderthals lived all throughout the colder climes, and were generally well adapted to such conditions. But particularly harsh winters would have stretched their endurance to the breaking point. Samples of the teeth from eight different Neanderthal individuals show evidence of thin or non-existent tooth enamel, a common symptom of malnutrition or starvation during significant life transitions, such as adolescence. This tooth enamel evidence could suggest that groups of Neanderthals were encountering food shortages that could have pushed them toward cannibalism.
Cut Bones and Extracted Marrow
More compelling evidence of cannibalism came from the bones found in the underground cave in El Sidrón, Spain. The skulls and longer bones of the fossils were found to be cracked or torn open, as though the marrow had been extracted; further, the bones showed evidence of cut marks, as from stone tools.
Researchers point out that evidence of cannibalism among Neanderthal populations in Europe is fairly widespread, though there is variation among the sites, with some settlements showing no signs of the practice and tending more toward ritualistic burying of the dead.
Other European Evidence
Neanderthal fossils showing almost indisputable signs of cannibalism have also been discovered in a cave in France known as Moula-Guercy. In fact, these bones were evidently processed no differently than the discarded animal bones found in the same area, indicating that some Neanderthals may have had no particular qualms about treating their fellows as food items.
Among the fossils at Moula-Guercy were skulls whose chewing muscles had apparently been filleted or had their tongues cut out. Researchers are almost certain that other Neanderthals prepared and ate these individuals, for the bones bore few signs of gnawing, which would suggest another carnivore. Well-defined cut marks on the clavicles and other marks indicating crushing on an anvil stone were other very strong signs. Anthropologists at the Moula-Guercy site argue that far from characterizing Neanderthals as savages, their cannibalism, along with the variation in the frequency of the practice among groups, is evidence of cultural sophistication similar to that seen in modern humans.
Sources
- Culotta, Elizabeth. "Neanderthals Were Cannibals, Bones Show." Bellarmine University. Oct. 1999. Web. 10 May 2011.
- Thompson, Andrea. "Neanderthals Were Cannibals, Study Confirms." LiveScience. 4 Dec. 2006. Web. 10 May 2011.
Jenny Ashford - Jenny Ashford is a writer and graphic artist from central Florida. Her main area of interest in her Suite 101 articles is science, with a ...
Join the Conversation