A human neck bone belonging to a child, dated between two and four years old, was discovered at the Gran Dolina cave site in Spain. The bone shows clear butchery marks indicating that the child was decapitated and cannibalized. Archaeologists found nearly a third of the bones with similar marks, suggesting cannibalistic behavior among Homo antecessor. This marks one of the earliest known instances of the practice, which is notable due to the age of the victim and precision of the cut marks.
The vertebra presents clear incisions at key anatomical points for disarticulating the head. It is direct evidence that the child was processed like any other prey.
Nearly a third of all bones found in the cave so far have cut marks that suggest these early humans were cannibals.
This case is particularly striking, not only because of the child's age, but also due to the precision of the cut marks.
Experts say it is unusual to find evidence of a child being eaten and - if their theory is true - the discovery marks the earliest evidence of the practice to date.
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