Human ancestor fossils unearthed in Spain point to grim secret of first Europeans

Five new fossils unearthed in Spain's Gran Dolina cave suggest that Homo antecessor, an early human ancestor, practiced cannibalism. The remains, which include skull fragments, indicate that the practice was not limited to children, as previously thought. The fossils also show that Homo antecessor had skull layers similar to modern humans and Neanderthals.

The fossils were discovered by archaeologists who had initially believed that the ancient humans targeted children for cannibalism. The new findings challenge this theory, suggesting a broader practice. The Independent, VICE, Discover Magazine, phys.org and Yahoo all covered the discovery.

The findings complicate the understanding of early human behavior. The skull fragments suggest a mix of modern human and Neanderthal traits, indicating a more complex evolutionary history. The practice of cannibalism among Homo antecessor raises questions about the social structures and survival strategies of these early humans.