Neanderthals ate outsider women & children 45,000 years ago: Study
The discovery of ancient human remains in Belgium’s Goyet cave system has shed new light on the behavior of Neanderthals, our closest extinct human relatives. A recent study has revealed that Neanderthals engaged in cannibalism, targeting women and children from other communities around 45,000 years ago. This shocking finding has significant implications for our understanding of Neanderthal behavior, social structure, and interactions with other human groups.
The study, which analyzed 101 bone fragments found in the Goyet cave system, identified butchery marks similar to those found on animal bones. This suggests that the Neanderthals treated these human remains in a similar way to their animal prey, implying a level of cannibalism that was previously unknown. The researchers found that the majority of the human remains belonged to women and children, which is a significant discovery that challenges our previous understanding of Neanderthal behavior.
The Goyet cave system, located in Belgium, is a well-known archaeological site that has yielded a wealth of information about Neanderthal behavior and culture. The cave system has been extensively excavated, and the remains found there have provided valuable insights into the lives of Neanderthals. However, the latest discovery is one of the most significant and surprising findings to date.
The researchers believe that the cannibalism practiced by the Neanderthals was linked to territorial conflict. At the time, Neanderthal populations were shrinking, and Homo sapiens had begun occupying nearby regions. This would have led to increased competition for resources, which may have driven the Neanderthals to engage in cannibalism as a means of survival. The fact that the majority of the human remains belonged to women and children suggests that the Neanderthals may have been targeting vulnerable members of other communities.
The study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of Neanderthal behavior and social structure. It suggests that Neanderthals were capable of complex and violent behavior, and that they may have been more aggressive than previously thought. The fact that they targeted women and children also raises questions about the social dynamics of Neanderthal groups and how they interacted with other human communities.
The discovery also highlights the complexity of human evolution and the interactions between different human groups. The fact that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens co-existed in certain regions, and that Neanderthals engaged in cannibalism, suggests that the relationship between these two human groups was more complex than previously thought.
The study’s lead researcher noted that the findings were “unexpected and surprising,” and that they challenged our previous understanding of Neanderthal behavior. The researcher also emphasized the importance of continued research into Neanderthal behavior and culture, stating that there is still much to be learned about our closest extinct human relatives.
The discovery of Neanderthal cannibalism is a significant one, and it has sparked a lively debate among researchers and scientists. While some have expressed surprise and even shock at the findings, others have noted that cannibalism is not uncommon in human history and that it has been practiced by various cultures around the world.
In conclusion, the study of human remains in Belgium’s Goyet cave system has revealed a shocking and significant discovery about Neanderthal behavior. The fact that Neanderthals engaged in cannibalism, targeting women and children from other communities, challenges our previous understanding of Neanderthal behavior and social structure. The study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of human evolution and the interactions between different human groups. As researchers continue to study Neanderthal behavior and culture, we can expect to learn more about our closest extinct human relatives and their place in the history of human evolution.
News Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-11-neanderthal-women-children-victims-cannibalism.html
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