The Ancient History of Human Cannibalism

Cannibalism was not just a rare tragedy, but likely a common practice in early human societies. Archaeological evidence confirms that consuming human flesh occurred frequently throughout the Paleolithic era.

While we often view cannibalism as a shocking anomaly today, it was once a part of the human survival toolkit. Anthropologists believe these ancient groups practiced it for various reasons, ranging from nutritional necessity during food shortages to specific ritualistic behaviors. Over time, social taboos evolved to make the practice almost entirely extinct. Understanding this history reveals how drastically our social norms regarding food and morality have shifted since prehistoric times.