Ancient Skulls and Bones Carved into Tools and Utensils in $5,000$-Year-Old Practice

Ancient Skulls and Bones Carved into Tools and Utensils in $5,000$-Year-Old Practice
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Archaeologists have uncovered evidence from the Neolithic period in Europe showing that ancient communities carved human skulls and leg bones into everyday objects, including tools, bowls, and eating utensils, a practice dating back nearly 5,000 years, according to a study published on Earth.com.

The findings originate from the Cueva de los Marmoles (Marbles Cave) in southern Spain. Researchers analyzed bone fragments recovered from the site and determined that they were not merely deposited remains, but were intentionally carved and modified by the community.

Scientists identified various objects made from human remains: Fragments of human skulls were meticulously carved and sanded to be used as bowls or cups. Human thigh bones were also fashioned into tools, including what appear to be eating or stirring utensils.

The study suggests that this practice was not a random act but a ritualistic tradition among the Neolithic communities in the region. The use of human remains to craft objects suggests a way for these ancient people to honor their dead or maintain a tangible connection with ancestors, integrating the deceased into the daily life of the living community. The practice provides new insight into the complex and varied funerary customs of early European societies.