In total, bones from six individuals have been identified, but only three skull cups were recovered. Since 15,000 years ago until now, it could be that there were more bones at the edge of the cave but they were destroyed." "All these bones were found at the entrance to the cave. "There could be more and we haven't found them," she says. The cut marks may have been made by one person in an idle moment.īut Bello says that based on other evidence, such as the skull cups previously found, this scenario is highly unlikely. With just one zigzag engraving among more than 100 bone fragments discovered at the cave, researchers can't prove their theory. The zigzag engraving was done before the bone was broken for marrow extraction. "It could have been trying to to transfer the knowledge of the deceased." "It could be a way of transferring knowledge," Bello adds. Alternatively carving of meat and bone could have been a way to store memories through tradition, as is seen at other archaeological sites where rituals are involved. The person who was consumed may have been revered in some way, Bello says. Why they did this, and the purpose of the cannibalism ritual more generally, is unknown. Instead, this group continued their consumption then discarded it. ![]() What is interesting, she says, is that the engraved bone was not kept as an object, as is seen at other Paleolithic sites. ![]() ![]() The engraving seems to be part of this ritual they were doing." This sequence of events means the group of people had intentionally stopped eating to make the engraving before continuing with their feast.īello tells Newsweek : "They took some time, they paused. The engraving was made after the meat had been removed, but before it was broken open to extract the marrow. Their detailed picture of the engravings clearly shows how the bone was processed.
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