Human ‘Skull Cup’ Has Been Discovered In Spanish Cave

Spectacular Finds

This area in the southern part of Spain has produced other similar objects, indicating that there was a strong connection between the living and the dead.

Archaeologists from the University of Córdoba in Spain and University of Bern in Switzerland examined 12 ancient burial sites from Cueva de los Marmoles (CM). The site is about 45 miles southeast of Córdoba. Prehistoric humans lived in the cave over several different periods of time. Researchers analyzed the remains of seven adults and five children from the region’s Neolithic period to its Bronze age or 4000-1000 BCE.

A Bone-Chilling Discovery

The bones were examined under a microscope and appeared to have been purposely fractured. This could indicate that the marrow was drained and the flesh scraped and removed.

The shinbone was polished and pitted in such a way that it resembled a tool. The archaeologists, however, did not specify its exact purpose. The “skull cup” was made from a man aged 35 to 50. The researchers noted that the cranium had been deliberately separated from the lower skull and was scraped to clear away any flesh.

Image credit: Photographs by Z. Laffranchi, CT images by M. Milella.

This type of skull cup is not the first of its kind. Other Neolithic sites in the region have produced similar finds. It’s possible that prehistoric people used these objects to access the brain and eat it, but some of these cups have marks indicating they were used for consuming liquids.

We Can’t Know For Sure

The precise purpose of repurposing of the human remains is unclear; however, the researchers think some bones were broken to obtain nutrient-rich marrow. Other bones may have been crafted into tools, weapons, or ritualistic items.

The researchers found that the practices observed are consistent with those seen in the Iberian Peninsula during Late Prehistory. The similarity even suggests shared beliefs. It also highlights the significant role of the human body in preserving a community’s memory.

Archaeologist Christian Meyer, head of the OsteoArchaeological Research Centre in Goslar, Germany, was not a part of the study, but he is versed in Neolithic burial sites and noted, “For sites like these… definite answers to complex questions are almost impossible to get.” One of the unanswered questions is whether the humans who made these objects were aware that they were reusing human bones.

Looking for a little more?

If you’re interested in learning more about objects made from human skulls, check out the Kapala skull bowls displayed in many Ripley’s Believe It or Not locations.

These skulls were made from the scavenged remains of the ancestors of Hindu and Buddhist monks. They were used to make offerings to the deities of the mountains.

By Noelle Talmon, contributor for Ripleys.com

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