The world is filled with many mysteries that intrigue archaeologists, geologists, and scientists. Throughout the years, some incredible discoveries have been made, like the ruins of Ancient Pompeii, which continue to amaze archaeologists, while others remain a mystery, like the location of the Lost City of Atlantis.
The discovery of human fossils, which often reveal how society lived, is always among the most fascinating discoveries, allowing us to learn more about our species.
This is certainly the case regarding remains found in a cave in Poland, and researchers have unveiled shocking evidence that acts of cannibalism existed, reigniting an ongoing debate about our Ancient European ancestors.
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Archaeologists Make A Shocking Discovery In A Polish Cave
Skeletal remains that harbored strange cuts and marks have now been analyzed, revealing the shocking practice of cannibalism among Ancient Europeans
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It has always been a fascinating thing to discover how our ancestors lived. As well as details of past events and the construction of incredible landmarks like the Pyramids of Egypt.
Archaeologists are always on the hunt for more evidence that will help us to understand our species, whether it be via the discovery of ancient documents like a 4,500 diary that is said to reveal who built the Egyptian Pyramids, historical sites, or fossils.
It was just this year that researchers made an exceptional discovery from human remains found in a cave in Poland, revealing some shocking practices among our European ancestors. While the act of cannibalism is nothing new to ancient societies and has been documented in places like Fiji, Brazil, and the Andaman Islands, shockingly, it still exists in some remote parts of the world today.
The discovery of human remains in Maszycka Cave in southern Poland has sparked a conversation about the act of cannibalism in Europe as far back as 18,000 years ago. The skeletal remains found in the Polish cave date back to the Magdelanian era, and given the body positioning and cut marks, all evidence points to prehistoric cannibalism.
Across Europe, there are currently five sites from this period that demonstrate clear evidence of human cannibalism: Gough's Cave (UK), Brillenhöhle Cave (Germany), Maszycka Cave (Poland), Cueva Morín (Spain), and the Cro-Magnon rock shelter (France).
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Strong Evidence Points To Acts Of Cannibalism Among Ancient Europeans
New research reveals that the act of cannibalism among the Magdalenian people is a hot topic that is now back on the menu
Researchers have now found conclusive evidence based on the findings at the Maszycka Cave in southern Poland that this group of people had a taste for human flesh, even using human bodies for raw materials. Remarkably, many incredible historical artifacts have been discovered on construction sites, yet caves like this one are often a common place for archaeologists to make exceptional discoveries, too.
As well as feasting on their fellow humans, the Magdalena people were also said to use skeletal remains to make skull cups and jewelry and often left cut marks or engravings on their bodies. While some archaeologists strongly believe that this is a clear sign of meat being prepared for human consumption, others debate that this could be a practice for bone cleaning.
"There's no doubt it's a case of cannibalism," Silvia Bello, a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London, in an article by Andrew Curry for Science magazine.
Combined with evidence found at other sites, there has been a widespread debate about whether cannibalism was prevalent among these ancient Europeans. Now, though, the new research shows strong signs that the Magdalena people did have a keen interest in human consumption.
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The Findings At Maszycka Cave Have Intrigued Researchers
The remains found at Maszycka Cave have sparked debate over the years, but modern technology can now tell us more
This is not the first time the Maszycka Cave has been a hot topic among researchers. The findings at the cave were discovered in the 19th Century, and up until now, many professionals had varied beliefs about the skeletal remains.
In the 1990s, researchers suggested that the skulls found in the Polish cave showed signs of cannibalism, yet further research suggested that these skulls did not feature tooth marks or any other signs pointing to this shocking act.
However, modern technology has now allowed researchers to dig up these findings once again to analyze whether cannibalism could have taken place or not. This statement, from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution, not only revealed that cannibalism is well and truly back on the menu, but it outlined the potential reasons for this ancient practice.
"The location and frequency of the cut marks and the intentional fracturing of the skeleton clearly show a nutritional exploitation of the bodies, ruling out the hypothesis of a funerary treatment without consumption," - Francesc Marginedas, a researcher at IPHES-CERCA.
Using 3D scanning techniques, the researchers analyzed 63 human bone fragments, allowing them to see whether the cuts and marks on the bones were inflicted by humans or had occurred naturally. Researchers found clear signs of the deliberate removal of muscle packets, brain, and marrow, which are among the most 'nutritious' parts of the body.
This new evidence from the Maszycka Cave in southern Poland suggests that cannibalism was part of the culture of people during the Magdalenian era and is just one of the many discoveries that have altered known history.
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The acts of cannibalism have been a long-debated topic among researchers, especially regarding the findings at Maszycka Cave in Poland. However, new research shows conclusive evidence, using modern technology, that cannibalism was indeed a part of this society's practice.
Given the cuts and marks on the skeletal remains, as well as body positioning and the removal of certain organs, this evidence is enough to put the topic of cannibalism in Europe back on the menu.