Remarkable Discovery at Gran Dolina Cave

In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, Spanish researchers have unearthed evidence suggesting that ancient human ancestors engaged in cannibalism, specifically targeting children, approximately 850,000 years ago. This significant find was made at the Gran Dolina cave site in Atapuerca, northern Spain, where archaeologists discovered a child’s neck bone with distinct butchery marks. The bone belonged to a child aged between two and four years old, indicating that the child may have been consumed by their peers.

Insights from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology

The team from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES) has provided crucial insights into this discovery. The location of the cut marks on the neck bone suggests that the child was decapitated with precision. Dr. Palmira Saladie, co-director of the excavation, highlighted the significance of these findings, noting that the vertebra displayed clear incisions at key anatomical points for disarticulating the head. This evidence strongly indicates that the child was processed similarly to other prey animals.

Homo Antecessor: A Common Ancestor

The remains are attributed to Homo antecessor, believed to be the last common ancestor of both Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. This species lived between 1.2 million and 800,000 years ago and had a brain size ranging from 1,000 to 1,150 cubic centimeters—smaller than today’s average human brain size of 1,350 cubic centimeters. The discovery adds to our understanding of Homo antecessor’s behavior and survival strategies.

Implications for Understanding Early Human Behavior

Cannibalism among early humans is a well-documented phenomenon; however, evidence involving children is rare. If verified, this discovery could represent the earliest known instance of such behavior. Dr. Saladie emphasized that this finding suggests a continuity in how early humans treated their dead—not as exceptional cases but as repeated practices.

Reevaluating Ancient Human Practices

The researchers assert that this new evidence supports the hypothesis that early humans exploited their own kind as a food resource. Each year, new discoveries challenge existing perceptions about how our ancestors lived and interacted with their environment nearly a million years ago.