Ancient massacre uncovers grim tale of cannibalism in England
Archaeologists in Somerset County, England, have made a discovery that sheds new light on a brutal attack from over 4,000 years ago. The remains of at least 37 people, including women and children, who were murdered during a massacre were found in Charterhouse Warren.
A team of scientists from the University of Oxford, led by Professor Rick Schulting, conducted detailed studies of bones found in the 1970s at Charterhouse Warren. As reported by "BBC," the analysis revealed that the victims were murdered, and their bones show signs of cruel actions, including chewing by human teeth.
Research published in the journal "Antiquity" indicates that the victims' skulls were smashed, and bones from the hands and legs were cut to extract marrow. This suggests that some bodies were eaten by humans. Professor Schulting emphasized that such a discovery is unique for the early Bronze Age in Britain.
Cannibalism was not a common phenomenon at that time. "If this was any in any way ‘normal’, you would expect to find some evidence for this in other sites," Schulting said in an interview with "The Guardian." The re-examination revealed that almost half of the remains belonged to children, suggesting that the entire community may have been killed simultaneously.
Terrifying discovery in the cave
In Gough's Cave in Somerset, fragments of skulls fashioned into drinking vessels and signs of bones having been gnawed were discovered. According to the scientists, this suggests not only cannibalism but also a ritualistic significance to these practices.
Researchers suggest that cannibalism in prehistoric Europe may have been associated with extreme climate conditions and the evolution of the species as a means to survive during difficult times. The complexity of these discoveries continues to fascinate scientists and encourages further research, which may lead to a better understanding of the way of life of our ancestors.
