British Bronze Age people ate their enemies' flesh

In Britain, contemporary evidence suggests the Bronze Age population engaged in cannibalism as a brutal response to perceived grievances. Bone analyses from at least 37 individuals discovered in a 50-feet deep shaft in Somerset reveal they were killed and butchered around 4,000 years ago. Research indicates that this act of cannibalism was not driven by hunger, as abundant cattle bones were found in the same area, thus prompting a theory that cannibalism was a ritualistic means to dehumanize their victims. Professor Rick Schulting from the University of Oxford leads the study, which was published in the journal Antiquity. These remains exhibited cutmarks and fractures consistent with butchering, and the findings suggested a possible massacre, with no evidence of a preceding struggle. A diverse combination of victims, including men, women, and children, points to a community-focused conflict rather than isolated violence. The researchers suspect that the brutal treatment was intended to 'other' these individuals, framing them as enemies of the community. This aligns with ideas of revenge and cycles of violence, challenging previously held notions of a peaceful Early Bronze Age society. Additionally, the findings draw attention to the unexpected presence of evidence relating to the plague, raising questions about its potential relationship to the violence that transpired at this site. The competition for resources and climate change factors seems not to have played significant roles in exacerbating conflicts during this period, as researchers found no relevant genetic evidence indicating the co-existence of diverse communities that might have led to ethnic strife. Instead, the evidence hints at a society where cycles of violence were commonplace, fueled by perceived slights. Overall, the discoveries from Charterhouse Warren shed light on the violent and often brutal interactions among early communities in Britain. They illustrate that even with ample resources, social dynamics surrounding revenge and dehumanization had significant influence over their actions. This invites further exploration into the cultural and societal context of Bronze Age Britain, emphasizing the need to delve into the interpersonal relationships that led to such extreme violence.