Recent research from Oxford University conducted by Rick Schulting raises significant questions about the practices associated with the 37 victims discovered at Charterhouse Warren, a Bronze Age burial site in southwest England.
Gruesome Revelations from Bronze Age Grave: Evidence of Cannibalism Discovered
Gruesome Revelations from Bronze Age Grave: Evidence of Cannibalism Discovered
A shocking new study uncovers evidence of cannibalism among victims at a prehistoric site in England, sending ripples through archaeological communities.
The recent exploration of a Bronze Age mass grave at Charterhouse Warren has revealed chilling evidence that at least 37 individuals, including men, women, and children, may have been slaughtered and consumed by their attackers. This shocking study, published in the prestigious journal Antiquity, marks a departure from the long-held perspectives of prehistoric burial rituals in Britain.
The skeletal remains were initially uncovered in a natural 50-foot shaft by cave explorers in 1970, but the findings were buried under decades of relative obscurity. Initial interpretations suggested a simple burial site, with bones scattered amongst animal remains. However, Schulting’s recent analysis has broken new ground, suggesting a much more horrific narrative.
Evidence of blunt force trauma, along with distinct cut marks on the bones, indicates that these individuals met a violent end. Schulting expressed disbelief at the findings, highlighting how unexpected such evidence of cannibalism is for this time period in Britain. “It’s taken us all aback. It was completely unexpected, totally atypical for the period and for almost all of British prehistory,” he stated.
The Charterhouse Warren site dates back to between 2210 and 2010 B.C., but the original excavation lacked the rigour of professional archaeological practices, leaving much to be desired in terms of documentation and analysis. This oversight allowed myths and assumptions to solidify around the site, diverting attention from its darker potential narratives.
As researchers delve deeper into these findings, the implications for our understanding of Bronze Age societal behaviors, including violence and ritualistic practices, are profound. The evidence pointing to cannibalism opens up new avenues of inquiry into the customs and beliefs of our ancient ancestors.
