"Early Cannibalism: Interesting Articles and Theories" Topic

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Are there any LINKS to anything recent that would support or contradict these theories?

CC
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I'm not directly familiar with the evidence for early man, but archaeological evidence for ritual cannibalism is common throughout the late prehistoric (Bronze) age, even occurring in supposedly peaceful cultures like Minoan Crete. The potential role of cannabalism in early ritual is fairly well established, so you are on safe ground there, but I'm not sure about its role as a common food source provider. Frankly, there were probably always less dangerous options!

In game terms … hey, go for broke! What's caveman for "come over for dinner" …?

Don't forget the ceremonial nature of cannibalism amonst cannibalistic tribes which exist today. The tradition of eating someone who died is a way of keeping their spirit with the tribe, by literally making them a part of them.

Despite this, I'm not fully convinced that this immunity has to be directly due to cannibalism, there are a number of dangers of cross infection from human consuming human without involving prions (whatever diesease the dead had, you just got it). I would speculate it might indicate a move to a meat orientated diet and the humans getting the prion diseases from cattle or other animals.

Guy

I think it would be a mixed thing. The reverence for the dead is evident in burials with grave goods that clearly date into the caveman period. It is probably a tribal/cultural thing, with some tribes dining on the dead and others avoiding it. Either has survival characteristics. Cannibalism is a way of maximizing the food and protein available. Ritual burial prevents contamination.

I think a lot of it depends on the region and diet available. I have read somewhere that the lingering cannibalism in New Guinea was related to the incredibly poor diet available. Some nutrients were only available in other humans. Hunters of wild game would not face such a structural problem nutritionally. If they had a bad season and risked starvation, then all bets might be off.

A stone age game or campaign might very well feature a tribe that gobbles up there neighbors with gusto.

"What's caveman for "come over for dinner" …?"

I believe it goes something like …

SMACK! WHAP! THUD!

drag drag drag

cut cut cut

munch munch munch

Doug

Here is a CaveSpeak glossary:

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CC

"Akita! Ool." (Come! Food.)

Thats is the closest I could get.

CC

Mmmmm….. getting hungry….

I have just bought a ton of skulls that I plan to put to good use by making a "camp" for a cannibal group of cavemen/women!

CC