A new study of Neanderthal bones found at the Marillac site in the he French region of Poitou-Charentes shows that they used to beat and cut the bodies of newly dead members of their family with stone tools.
However, the scientists still do not know whether they did this for food or ceremony.
The study for the first time analyzed the fragments of three individuals found between 1967 and 1980 at the French site dating back some 57,600 years. These are an incomplete diaphysis (middle part of long bones) of a right radius, another of a left fibula and the majority of a right femur. The latter belonged to a child.
When compared to the remains of other Neanderthals and modern humans, the scientists confirm not only the strength and rounded form of Neanderthal bones, but they also identify on the three bones manipulations made very shortly after the individuals' death.
In addition to these perimortem corporal manipulations carried out by members of the group, other bones found at the Marillac site, also fragmented, exhibit signs of gnawing or digestion by animals.
The study is published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.
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