Neanderthals were cannibals, bone show
Culotta, E.
Science 286(5437): 18-19
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 10532879 Document Number: 507324
A French and American team have discovered evidence of Neanderthal cannibalism at the French cave of Moula-Guercy. In examining 78 pieces of bone identified as belonging to at least six humans, the team found marks clearly showing that these early humans, dating from 100,000 years ago, filleted the chewing muscle from the heads of two young Neanderthals, cut out the tongue of at least one, and smashed the legbone of a large adult to obtain the marrow. Human and mammal remains were treated very alike, says first author Alban Defleur of the Universite du Mediterrane at Marseilles. Enticing hints of cannibalism have been seen at other Neanderthal sites for decades, but this work far exceeds the best documented case, say other researchers, who commend the team's careful comparison of breakage and cut marks in deer and human bones.