Ancient Cannibalism: Hominin Ancestors Engaged in Gruesome Feasts
A study of fossilized bones from 1.45 million years ago suggests that human ancestors may have engaged in cannibalism. Paleontologist Briana Pobiner discovered a tibia with cut marks consistent with those found on animal fossils prepared for consumption. The marks were made by stone tools and located where muscle meets bone, indicating intentional butchering. While it is unclear which hominin species the bone belonged to, the findings suggest that hominins were likely eating each other for survival earlier than previously recognized.