A recent archaeological discovery in France has shed a dark light on Neolithic Europe. A team of researchers from across Europe, led by French institutions, has unearthed evidence suggesting ritualistic human sacrifice was more widespread than previously thought.
The study, published in Science Advances, focuses on the remains of three women found in a tomb at Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, France. Dated to between 4000 and 3500 BCE, the bodies exhibited a series of unsettling features. Two of the women were buried in unnatural positions – one on her back with legs bent upwards, the other face down with her neck resting on the torso of the first. These positions bear a chilling resemblance to “incaprettamento,” a modern mafia-style murder technique used for intimidation.
The location of a grindstone fragment on the skull of one woman and potential signs of burial while still alive further heighten the disturbing nature of the discovery. The researchers believe this positioning suggests the victims were likely killed where they lay. Additionally, all three bodies were oriented towards the solstice, further hinting at a ritualistic element.
The researchers theorize that the victims may have been subjected to a form of ritualistic asphyxiation known as ligature strangulation. In this method, the weight of the victim’s own body, possibly restrained in some way, leads to strangulation.
To bolster their theory, the research team conducted a literature review of similar finds across Europe. They identified 20 additional cases from Spain, Catalonia, and Eastern Europe. Some of these remains dated back as early as 5400-4800 BCE, suggesting this practice of forced asphyxiation in ritualistic sacrifice may have been widespread across Europe for millennia. Furthermore, rock carvings discovered in an Italian cave appear to depict a similar form of human sacrifice.
These findings offer a glimpse into a previously unknown aspect of Neolithic societies in Europe. While the exact reasons behind these ritualistic killings remain unclear, the gruesome nature of the discoveries compels further investigation into the social and religious beliefs of these ancient cultures. Understanding these practices may provide a more nuanced understanding of the lives and deaths of our ancestors.