Cannibalism: An Everyday Practice

Cannibalism, the act of humans consuming the flesh of other humans, has long been a subject shrouded in mystery, horror, and intrigue.When it comes to the origins of cannibalism, it has been widely believed to have been a taboo subject in many societies for various reasons. However, according to recent discoveries, the act of cannibalism seems to have been far more commonplace and entrenched in human history than previously assumed. Anatomically modern humans, Homo sapiens, have been shown to have practiced cannibalism as a way to respect the deceased in ancient funerary rituals. Evidence of this has been found in various archaeological sites, such as Gough’s cave in Cheddar Gorge, where the remains of at least six individuals, specifically bear human teeth marks, indicating the practice of cannibalism. This discovery suggests that the consumption of human flesh served as a not only a practice but also a ceremonial characteristic.