18,000-Year-Old Evidence of Human Brain Consumption Found in Poland

Researchers have discovered strong evidence that humans in Poland engaged in cannibalism including human brain consumption about 18,000 years ago.

The findings, uncovered in Maszycka Cave, suggest that the practice was not part of ritual burials but rather a violent means of consuming the dead.

Researchers found that 68% of the bones bore clear signs of human-made cuts and fractures, indicating that flesh, brain, and bone marrow were extracted soon after death. Advanced 3D microscopy confirmed that the marks resulted from tools, ruling out natural causes or scavenger activity.

Deliberate processing of human remains

The examination of the bones revealed a consistent pattern of processing. Skulls showed deep cuts associated with scalp and facial tissue removal, as well as fractures indicating access to the brain, a highly nutritious organ.

Long bones, such as the femur and humerus, exhibited break marks that suggest marrow extraction—a known practice for obtaining fat and energy.

Francesc Marginedas, lead author of the study and researcher at IPHES-CERCA, said the distribution of marks on the bones provides strong evidence that the bodies were processed for food, not merely treated for funerary purposes.

A broader pattern of cannibalism in Europe

Maszycka Cave is now among five known sites in Europe that show clear evidence of cannibalism during the Magdalenian period. The findings suggest that human consumption was not an isolated event but may have been part of the cultural practices of these prehistoric groups.

Unlike Gough’s Cave in the United Kingdom, where cut marks indicate a ritualistic treatment of remains, Maszycka Cave shows no signs of ceremonial burial.

Instead, human bones were found mixed with animal remains, both exhibiting similar breakage patterns for food extraction. This reinforces the idea that cannibalism here was not symbolic but linked to survival or aggression.

War cannibalism and resource conflicts

The study suggests that tensions between groups may have driven this practice. Following the Last Glacial Maximum, populations grew, leading to increased competition for food and land. These pressures may have resulted in violent conflicts, where cannibalism served as a form of retribution or intimidation.

Dr. Palmira Saladié, co-author of the study, noted that cannibalism has occurred throughout human history for different reasons, including survival, rituals, and extreme violence. In the case of Maszycka Cave, the evidence supports the theory of “war cannibalism” – eating enemies as a form of aggression or dominance.

A historic discovery using modern science

Maszycka Cave, located near Kraków, has been known as an archaeological site since the 19th century. Over time, researchers have uncovered stone tools, animal remains, and human bones. However, modern techniques had never been applied to these remains until now.

By using advanced microscopic analysis, scientists have provided the clearest evidence yet that cannibalism occurred in the region. These findings offer a new understanding of prehistoric survival strategies and the extreme measures taken by early humans to cope with their environment.