Prehistoric Cannibals in Spain Ate Infants

Archaeological findings in Spain suggest that Homo antecessor, a prehistoric human species, may have consumed infants. Traces of decapitation and cutting on the bones of a child under 5 years old were found in a cave in Atapuerca.

The cervical vertebra, found with other human bones, bears cut marks, indicating that the child was decapitated and consumed approximately 850,000 years ago. Palmira Saladié, co-leader of the excavation, stated that this is direct evidence of the child being butchered like any other prey.

The findings are attributed to the species Homo antecessor, whose fossils have only been found in Atapuerca. Researchers believe that archaic human species consumed their companions as a food source or to repel foreign groups.