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Paleolithic Cannibalism Was Persistent Practice Spanning Million Years Researcher Reveals

ZOE Science & Nutrition · 3 million years of evidence! The 5 ancient diet claims that are dangerously wrong · July 9, 2026
Paleolithic Cannibalism Was Persistent Practice Spanning Million Years Researcher Reveals
ZOE Science & Nutrition
ZOE Science & Nutrition
3 million years of evidence! The 5 ancient diet claims that are dangerously wrong
"The paleithic cannibalism, you know, we can track definite episodes of cannibalism back almost a million years in time. And cannibism is a small signature in the fossil record, but it's very persistent. So that kind of suggests that this probably is quite a common practice amongst our human ancestors."
Dr. James Cole, dean of Brighton University's School of Applied Sciences, reveals that cannibalism was a recurring practice among Paleolithic humans for nearly a million years. His research calculating human calorie values showed humans provide only 30,000 calories from muscle compared to 200,000 from a horse, suggesting cannibalism was not primarily about nutrition but may have had cultural or ritual significance.
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ZOE Science & Nutrition
ZOE Science & Nutrition

3 million years of evidence! The 5 ancient diet claims that are dangerously wrong

August 3, 2026 · 57m · 4 Egleze moments
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