Cannibalism Found in Germany
Evidence of cannibalism in Europe's early Neolithic period.
Hypothesis- Ritual cannibalism whether for religious purpose or war, is suggested from the 2009 study that the humans at the site of Herxheim were butchered and eaten. Our knowledge of ancient rituals and customs will be greatly enhanced. Presenting a unique look into the ritualistic burial ceremonies of the ancient Europeans.
The exact origin of cannibalism is a mystery and will most likely remain so. Some anthropologists believe that cannibalism began in earliest human history and proliferated with man’s increasing attempt to appease the gods, survive famine, or exact revenge on or control his enemies. To date, archaeological evidence suggests that cannibalism was practiced as far back as the Neolithic Period and Bronze Age in what is now Europe and the Americas.
In some societies, especially tribal societies, cannibalism is a cultural norm. Consumption of a person from within the same community is called endocannibalism; ritual cannibalism of the recently deceased can be part of the grieving process, or a way of guiding the souls of the dead into the afterlife. Endocannibalism is a very common practice associated with ritual burial ceremonies.
The Archaeological dig site in Herxheim Germany has unearthed a 7,000-year-old burial ground with evidence of mass cannibalism. Archaeologists from the University of Bordeaux said they found the remains of almost 500 people who possibly eaten during ritual burials in Europe's early Neolithic period. Herxheim was first excavated from 1996 to 1999, yielding remains of a large structure, pottery and what appeared to be two parallel ditches encircling the settlement. Closer inspection revealed that the ditches had been formed by overlapping pits that had been dug over several centuries, apparently not exclusively to hold the dead.
The structures at Herxheim suggested that of a large village spanning up to 6 hectares surrounded by ovoid pits dug over
Hypothesis- Ritual cannibalism whether for religious purpose or war, is suggested from the 2009 study that the humans at the site of Herxheim were butchered and eaten. Our knowledge of ancient rituals and customs will be greatly enhanced. Presenting a unique look into the ritualistic burial ceremonies of the ancient Europeans.
The exact origin of cannibalism is a mystery and will most likely remain so. Some anthropologists believe that cannibalism began in earliest human history and proliferated with man’s increasing attempt to appease the gods, survive famine, or exact revenge on or control his enemies. To date, archaeological evidence suggests that cannibalism was practiced as far back as the Neolithic Period and Bronze Age in what is now Europe and the Americas.
In some societies, especially tribal societies, cannibalism is a cultural norm. Consumption of a person from within the same community is called endocannibalism; ritual cannibalism of the recently deceased can be part of the grieving process, or a way of guiding the souls of the dead into the afterlife. Endocannibalism is a very common practice associated with ritual burial ceremonies.
The Archaeological dig site in Herxheim Germany has unearthed a 7,000-year-old burial ground with evidence of mass cannibalism. Archaeologists from the University of Bordeaux said they found the remains of almost 500 people who possibly eaten during ritual burials in Europe's early Neolithic period. Herxheim was first excavated from 1996 to 1999, yielding remains of a large structure, pottery and what appeared to be two parallel ditches encircling the settlement. Closer inspection revealed that the ditches had been formed by overlapping pits that had been dug over several centuries, apparently not exclusively to hold the dead.
The structures at Herxheim suggested that of a large village spanning up to 6 hectares surrounded by ovoid pits dug over