Our ancestors devoured the brains of their enemies 💀

In a cave in Poland, researchers have uncovered disturbing evidence of systematic cannibalism practiced by Magdalenian human groups. Unlike a survival act dictated by famine, this consumption of human flesh seems linked to conflicts between rival groups. In particular, the victims' skulls were systematically fractured, likely to extract the brain, a highly prized source of nutrients.

A major archaeological discovery

The Maszycka Cave, located near Krakow, is at the heart of this revelation. Already explored in the 19th century, this archaeological site has revealed new secrets thanks to modern analyses. In 2023, a team of researchers re-examined human remains, using advanced techniques such as 3D microscopy to reveal the smallest details.


These remains belong to at least ten individuals – six adults and four children. The meticulous study of the bones revealed traces of cuts and fractures that cannot be attributed to scavenging animals or post-mortem accidents. The marks observed testify to a systematic process: the bodies were handled with precision, their flesh removed, and their bones intentionally broken.

Clues to structured cannibalism

Among the most striking elements, researchers noted clean cuts on the scalp, suggesting scalping, as well as the removal of ears and jaws. Numerous fractures were observed on the long bones of the limbs, a process known to extract bone marrow, a valuable source of lipids. But it is especially the state of the skulls that stands out: the fractures along the skull seem to indicate a specific intent to access the cranial cavity to remove the brain.

The systematic nature of these mutilations suggests that these practices do not stem from simple violent killings. Rather, it would be a recurring behavior within these human groups, possibly integrated into their rites and traditions.

An explanation in the context of the time

Why these acts? Researchers dismiss the hypothesis of survival cannibalism. The Magdalenian populations, expanding after the last ice age, do not seem to have suffered from extreme famines. On the contrary, this period is marked by an increase in the number of individuals and heightened competition for resources.

In this context, intergroup violence could have been exacerbated. Consuming defeated enemies, especially their brains, might have had a dual function:
- Humiliating the adversary by reducing them to mere food.
- Symbolically appropriating their strength or intelligence, according to beliefs possibly linked to shamanic or animistic rites.

The victims found in the Maszycka Cave seem to constitute an entire family unit, suggesting a brutal attack where an entire group was captured, killed, and consumed.

A widespread phenomenon in Prehistory?

Maszycka is not the only site where such practices have been identified. In England, in Gough's Cave, bones dated to the same period bear similar traces of cutting and transformation. Some skulls there had even been shaped into cups, reinforcing the idea that these acts were integrated into a ritual logic.

These discoveries challenge our perception of prehistoric societies. Far from being only peaceful hunters living in harmony with nature, some human groups were involved in violent conflicts, where cannibalism played a strategic, symbolic, and perhaps even religious role.

These practices, although shocking from a modern perspective, testify to the complexity of human behaviors as early as Prehistory. They remind us that the boundary between war, survival, and ritual was sometimes much blurrier than we imagined.

To go further: How to identify cut marks on fossil bones?

Cut marks on fossil bones are analyzed using 3D microscopes. They present parallel striations with sharp edges, often V-shaped, characteristic of flint tools. Their orientation and location allow distinguishing human action from simple animal bites or natural alterations.

Experimentation with prehistoric tools helps compare modern and fossil marks. By reproducing cutting gestures on recent carcasses, researchers establish precise recognition criteria. This experimental approach confirms the use of specific butchery techniques among the Magdalenians.

The distribution of traces on the skeleton informs about skinning and consumption practices. Incisions at the joints suggest methodical dismemberment, while striations on the ribs indicate meticulous muscle extraction. These clues allow reconstructing the gestures and motivations of past human groups.