Unveiling Ancient Signs of Cannibalism: Early Human Ancestors Seemingly Practiced Butchery 1.45 Million Years Ago

Scientists from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History have unearthed what seems to be the oldest evidence of probable cannibalism among human progenitors from around 1.45 million years ago. The team, led by paleoanthropologist Briana Pobiner, identified nine cut marks, characteristic of stone tool usage, on an ancient hominin shin bone fossil discovered in northern Kenya. The positioning and pattern of these marks indicate a high likelihood that they resulted from butchering for the purpose of meat consumption.

Evidence of cannibalism may have been inscribed on a fossil leg bone of an early human ancestor. The markings, which appear to be made by stone tools, were found on a specimen related to modern humans.

A 1.45-million-year-old hominin fossil from Kenya, bearing cut marks suggestive of stone tools, offers the oldest evidence of potential cannibalism among human ancestors. This discovery sheds new light on our understanding of early tool usage and underlines the potential for new findings within museum collections.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History’s researchers have highlighted what could be the most ancient concrete evidence of early human relatives butchering and potentially consuming one another.

Published in Scientific Reports on June 26, the study by Pobiner and her colleagues describes nine cut marks found on a 1.45 million-year-old shin bone of a Homo sapiens relative discovered in northern Kenya. Using 3D models of the fossil’s surface, the researchers found that the cut marks closely resemble the damage typically caused by stone tools. This finding represents the oldest confirmed occurrence of such behavior.

The researchers offer a close-up view of the hominin tibia, revealing the areas of cut marks. Pobiner initially discovered the fossilized tibia, or shin bone, in the Nairobi National Museum’s collection while investigating possible prehistoric predators that may have hunted and eaten early human relatives. Noting what appeared to be evidence of butchery rather than bite marks from extinct creatures, Pobiner emphasizes the importance of revisiting museum collections for fresh discoveries.

“Our findings suggest that hominins were likely cannibalizing each other as far back as 1.45 million years ago,” Pobiner stated. She adds, “This fossil implies that the practice of consuming one’s own species for survival may have persisted longer in the past than previously recognized.”

Pobiner first encountered the fossilized tibia while investigating potential prehistoric predators that may have hunted and eaten early human relatives. She initially expected to find bite marks but instead noticed what appeared to be evidence of butchery.

Using molds made from dental impression material, Pobiner sent the marked impressions to co-author Michael Pante of Colorado State University for analysis. Upon comparing the shapes to a database of 898 individual tooth, butchery, and trample marks, Pante found that nine of the 11 marks matched the damage typically inflicted by stone tools. The remaining two marks were likely bite marks from a large cat, possibly a lion.

The cut marks themselves do not definitively prove that the hominin who made them also consumed the leg’s meat, but Pobiner suggests this is the most probable scenario. The cut marks are located where the calf muscle would have attached to the bone, an ideal place to cut to remove a sizeable piece of flesh.

While the discovery may suggest cannibalism, Pobiner states that more evidence is required to confirm such a theory, given that cannibalism necessitates the consumer and the consumed to belong to the same species.

The fossil, initially identified as Australopithecus boisei, then Homo erectus.Healthy debate has ensued regarding the skull’s markings. One side believes they were made by hominin tools, while another argues they resulted from sharp-edged stone blocks coming into contact with the skull. The purpose of the markings, even if made by ancient hominins, is unclear due to the skull’s lack of large muscle groups.

To verify if the studied tibia is indeed the oldest hominin fossil with cut marks, Pobiner expressed interest in reevaluating the South African skull, using techniques applied in their current study.

Pobiner also underscored the value of museum collections, as they often yield fascinating discoveries. “You can make some pretty amazing discoveries by going back into museum collections and taking a second look at fossils,” she said, adding, “Not everyone sees everything the first time around. It takes a community of scientists coming in with different questions and techniques to keep expanding our knowledge of the world.”

The research is documented in the Scientific Reports journal in a study titled, “Early Pleistocene cut marked hominin fossil from Koobi Fora, Kenya”, authored by Briana Pobiner, Michael Pante, and Trevor Keevil, and dated 26th June 2023. The research was funded by the Smithsonian, the Peter Buck Fund for Human Origins Research, and Colorado State University.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about hominin cannibalism evidence

More about hominin cannibalism evidence

• Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History
• Scientific Reports
• Briana Pobiner’s Research Profile
• Michael Pante’s Research Profile
• Hominin Fossils
• Overview of Human Evolution
• Introduction to Paleoanthropology