Jonathan Santana
Aggressive or funerary cannibalism? Skull-cup and human bone manipulation in Cueva de El Toro (Early Neolithic, southern Iberia)
Santana, Jonathan; Rodríguez-Santos, Francisco Javier; Camalich-Massieu, María Dolores; Martín-Socas, Dimas; Fregel, Rosa
Authors
Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Santos
María Dolores Camalich-Massieu
Dimas Martín-Socas
Rosa Fregel
Contributors
J Santana-Cabrera jonathan.a.santana-cabrera@durham.ac.uk
Other
Abstract
Objective: We analyze the processing sequence involved in the manufacture of a skull‐cup and the manipulation of human bones from the Early Neolithic of Cueva de El Toro (Málaga, Spain). Materials and methods: The Early Neolithic material studied includes human remains found in two separate assemblages. Assemblage A consists of one skull‐cup, a non‐manipulated adult human mandible, and four ceramic vessels. Assemblage B contains manipulated and non‐manipulated human remains that appeared mingled with domestic waste. Using a taphonomic approach, we evaluate the skull‐cup processing and the anthropogenic alteration of human bones. Results: The skull‐cup was processed by careful paring away of skin, fragmentation of the facial skeleton and base of the skull, and controlled percussion of the edges of the calotte to achieve a regular shape. It was later boiled for some time in a container that caused pot polish in a specific area. The other human bones appeared scattered throughout the living area, mixed with other remains of domestic activity. Some of these bones show cut marks, percussion damage for marrow extraction, and tooth/chewing marks. Discussion: Evidence from Cueva de El Toro suggests that cannibalism was conducted in the domestic sphere, likely following ritualized practices where the skull‐cup could have played a part. Interpretation of this evidence suggests two hypotheses: (a) aggressive cannibalism relates to extreme inter‐group violence; and (b) funerary cannibalism is a facet of multi‐stage burial practices. Similar evidence has been found in other Neolithic sites of this region and suggests that cannibalism and skull‐cups were elements widespread in these communities. These practices may be linked to significant transformations associated with the end of the Early Neolithic in southern Iberia.
Citation
Santana, J., Rodríguez-Santos, F. J., Camalich-Massieu, M. D., Martín-Socas, D., & Fregel, R. (2019). Aggressive or funerary cannibalism? Skull-cup and human bone manipulation in Cueva de El Toro (Early Neolithic, southern Iberia). American journal of physical anthropology, 169(1), 31-54. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23805
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Feb 5, 2019 |
Online Publication Date | Feb 25, 2019 |
Publication Date | May 31, 2019 |
Deposit Date | Feb 28, 2019 |
Publicly Available Date | Feb 25, 2020 |
Journal | American Journal of Physical Anthropology |
Print ISSN | 0002-9483 |
Electronic ISSN | 1096-8644 |
Publisher | Wiley |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 169 |
Issue | 1 |
Pages | 31-54 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23805 |
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Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Santana, Jonathan, Rodríguez-Santos, Francisco Javier, Camalich-Massieu, María Dolores, Martín-Socas, Dimas & Fregel, Rosa (2019). Aggressive or funerary cannibalism? Skull-cup and human bone manipulation in Cueva de El Toro (Early Neolithic, southern Iberia). American Journal of Physical Anthropology 169(1): 31-54, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23805. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
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