The Shocking Secrets of Ancient Cannibalism

Stories of cannibalism can be intriguing, but the reasons behind ancient humans eating other people were far from just hunger. These reasons were complex and often rooted in religious rituals or social cohesion. The act of cannibalism was not merely about satisfying hunger but held a symbolic meaning intended to reinforce religious beliefs or group unity. Although there are traces that suggest people were consumed in the past, it was never part of a common dietary practice. These instances occurred only under very specific circumstances. Let’s explore why.

Origins of Cannibalism: The Hidden Story Behind the Name 'Cannibal'

The word 'cannibal' is believed to have been first used by Christopher Columbus during his exploration of the Americas. When Columbus arrived in the Caribbean in 1492, he mistakenly referred to the native Carib people as 'Cannibales,' because he believed they practiced cannibalism. This term subsequently came to mean 'people who eat other humans,' and this misinformation spread among Europeans, leading to fear and prejudice against the native populations of the Americas. Eventually, the word 'cannibal' became synonymous with a group that practices cannibalism.1

The Hidden Reasons for Ancient Cannibalism: Ritual, Not Survival

Cannibalism for Religious Rituals and Group Cohesion

In the Incan civilization, people were sacrificed to gods. This was a ritual meant to 'appease the gods and pray for prosperity.' After the sacrifice, consuming the body was a way to communicate with the gods and strengthen group cohesion, making it an important religious ritual. Cannibalism was practiced not only in the Incan civilization but also among the Aztecs, the people of Fiji, and various African tribes and cultural groups. This act was not meant for survival but rather to show devotion to deities and unify the group.

Cannibalism to Demonstrate Power and Instill Fear

Another reason for cannibalism was to display power within the group and instill fear in others. People believed that consuming the body of a defeated enemy would absorb their power. This belief stemmed from a cultural and religious background that emphasized strengthening the group by acquiring the enemy’s spirit or abilities after victory. Many ancient cultures saw these cannibalistic rituals as a way to completely conquer enemies and claim their strength. For example, in the Aztec civilization, warriors believed they could become stronger by absorbing the enemy’s spirit. The purpose of consuming the enemy was to elevate one’s own status. Such actions were also meant to convey a message to other tribes, essentially saying, 'Challenge us, and you’ll face dire consequences.' Therefore, these practices were more about psychological or political motives rather than survival.

Scientific Reasons Why Cannibalism Was Not Practical

First Reason: Hunting Humans Is Inefficient

Hunting humans was far more energy-consuming and dangerous compared to hunting other animals. Humans are capable of defending themselves and escaping, which means it took considerable energy to hunt one of their own kind. Therefore, it was more natural for ancient humans to hunt animals that were easier to capture. Mammoths, bison, and deer were large animals that provided ample food, making them a much more efficient choice.

Second Reason: Humans Aren’t That Nutritious

In 2017, British scientist James Cole found that hunting larger animals provided significantly more energy compared to eating humans.2 A single mammoth could provide approximately 3.6 million kcal, enough to sustain a group for two months, while a human body offered only around 120,000–140,000 kcal. Though different parts of the human body provided varying caloric values, the overall nutritional efficiency was much lower compared to hunting animals like mammoths or deer. Therefore, ancient humans chose animals that could provide more energy.

Third Reason: Eating Humans Is Dangerous

Eating humans is risky because viruses, bacteria, and parasites can easily be transmitted. In the 1950s, the Fore people of Papua New Guinea practiced cannibalism, eating the brains and organs of the deceased, which led to an outbreak of a disease called Kuru.4 This disease caused muscle spasms and severe neurological damage, eventually leading to death. Patients suffered from severe tremors, loss of balance, cognitive decline, and other painful symptoms, all due to a pathogenic protein called prion. This is why eating the same species was a significant threat to survival.

Additionally, human excrement is laden with pathogens, posing a high risk of infection. In Dr. Milind’s study, an experiment involving the smell of excrement from various animals (including humans, pigs, dogs, cows, and goats) found that participants showed the highest aversion to human waste due to the risk of pathogens and infection.3 In comparison, the aversion to pig and dog excrement was relatively lower. This result is linked to the fact that human waste carries numerous harmful pathogens that can be dangerous to humans. This aversion is part of an instinctive defense mechanism to avoid disease. In simple terms, people have evolved to keep their distance from such things to reduce the risk of infection.

Historical Evidence of Cannibalism: From the Incas to Jamestown

Cannibalism mostly occurred for religious rituals or social reasons. In the Incan civilization, sacrifices were made to the gods, and parts of the sacrificed bodies were sometimes eaten. This was intended to strengthen group cohesion and show devotion to the gods. It was more about unifying the group and expressing religious beliefs than it was about survival.

In the 17th century, there are records of people at Jamestown resorting to cannibalism due to a lack of food. Although this was an extreme case of cannibalism for survival, most instances were rooted in religious or social reasons. For instance, the island of Fiji was once known as the 'Cannibal Isles' due to the cannibalistic practices of its inhabitants. The Fijians consumed captives taken during war as a way to absorb their enemies’ power and strengthen their community. This was a symbolic act of social cohesion and power display, rather than an act of survival.

The Aztec civilization also has records of human sacrifices followed by cannibalistic acts.5 These rituals are documented in Aztec codices, such as the Codex Mendoza. They were intended to show devotion to the gods and to pray for abundant crops and success in war. The Aztecs believed such acts connected them with the divine. Similarly, in the 19th century, there are accounts of cannibalism among tribes in the Congo during conflicts, especially under Belgian colonial rule. These acts were meant to terrorize enemies and establish dominance among rival tribes. Such practices were not about survival but had strong psychological and political motives—establishing dominance and dissuading rivals from challenging them.

Conclusion: The Meaning Behind Ancient Cannibalism

The reason ancient humans practiced cannibalism was not simply about survival. Cannibalism was mostly rooted in religious rituals, social cohesion, and political motives. It served as a way to express devotion to the gods, reinforce unity within the group, and instill fear in enemies. These acts were an important cultural element in ancient societies, with a purpose beyond merely satisfying hunger.

Ultimately, cannibalism was not a tool for survival but a significant ritual and political message to strengthen identity and unity within the group. It illustrates how ancient societies combined cultural complexity with instinctive human behaviors to navigate their world.

What do you think about the reasons behind ancient cannibalistic practices? Do you see any parallels in modern society's rituals or practices? Leave your thoughts below!

References

• ¹ Hulme, P. (1986). "Colonial Encounters: Europe and the Native Caribbean, 1492-1797." Routledge.
• ² Cole, J. (2017). 'Assessing the calorific value of human and animal prey: implications for understanding hominin subsistence.' Scientific Reports.
• ³ Curtis, V., & Biran