Neandertals may have hunted and eaten outsiders, chilling cannibalism study finds

New analysis of Neandertal remains in Belgium suggests targeted cannibalism of outsiders, challenging previous theories about the behavior's purpose. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Neandertals may have hunted and eaten outsiders, chilling cannibalism study finds

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Archaeologists have uncovered chilling new evidence in a Belgian cave indicating that Neandertals systematically butchered and consumed members of other Neandertal groups, with a particular focus on women and children. The findings, based on a fresh analysis of bones from the Troisième caverne of Goyet site, suggest this was not an isolated ritual act but a targeted practice against outsiders, treating them as a source of food during the species' final millennia in Europe. The skeletal remains show clear cut marks consistent with dismemberment and filleting, alongside fractures to extract nutrient-rich marrow. This methodical processing is indistinguishable from how Neandertals treated hunted animal prey. Crucially, isotopic and genetic analysis revealed that the consumed individuals were not from the local Neandertal community inhabiting the cave, pointing to a deliberate selection of outsiders. The demographic pattern—encompassing women and children—adds a disturbing layer to the discovery, hinting at potential vulnerabilities or specific targeting strategies. This discovery fundamentally challenges long-held interpretations of Neandertal cannibalism. Previous finds at other European sites, such as El Sidrón in Spain and Krapina in Croatia, often sparked debates between explanations of ritualistic behavior, survival during extreme famine, or even mortuary practices. The Goyet evidence, however, strongly leans toward a more pragmatic and grim reality. The behavior appears calculated and nutritional, driven by a stark us-versus-them dynamic where individuals from beyond the group's immediate social circle were viewed as a consumable resource. The practice may be a grim window into the intense pressures Neandertal groups faced as their world contracted. The period in question, towards the end of their existence, was marked by climatic upheaval and competition with expanding modern human populations. Resource scarcity could have fueled violent intergroup conflicts, where defeating a rival band translated into a macabre form of provisioning. The selective cannibalism of outsiders might reflect a brutal survival strategy, a way to eliminate competition while...

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Categoria: cronaca