In an undoubtedly unusual forensic investigation, conducted with modern techniques, it was established that the lethal wounds identified in this human skull, the most obvious trace of which are the two closely spaced holes located above the left eye, were caused by two impacts separations of the same object, with slightly different trajectories, which occurred at the moment of the subject’s death.
The skull dates back approximately 430,000 years.
The study was conducted by a team led by Nohemi Sala, of the Joint Center for Evolution and Human Behavior UCM-ISCIII, in Madrid. This center depends jointly on the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), in Spain all these entities.
According to the authors of the study, it is highly unlikely that the injuries occurred following a fall. Everything indicates that it was the result of two blows delivered with the same object, which performed the function, intended or improvised, of a weapon. This led Nohemi Sala and her colleagues to interpret the event as a deliberate and lethal act of interpersonal aggression.
This skull comes from Sima de los Huesos, Spain, and became famous in 2015 when it was considered forensic evidence of what may be the oldest known murder case in human history.
(Photo: Javier Trueba / Madrid Scientific Films. CC BY)
The study was published in the academic journal PLoS ONE. The reference of the work is the following: Sala N, Arsuaga JL, Pantoja-Pérez A, Pablos A, Martínez I, Quam RM, et al. (2015) Lethal interpersonal violence in the Middle Pleistocene. PLoS UNO 10(5): e0126589. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0126589. (Fountain: NCYT by Amazings)
How does the study of violence in early human history influence our understanding of human evolution?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Forensic Expert Nohemi Sala
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good morning, and thank you for joining us today, Nohemi. Your recent research on the human skull, dating back 430,000 years, has made quite the headlines. Can you tell us what drew you to this specific forensic investigation?
Nohemi Sala (NS): Good morning! I’m thrilled to be here. The skull, discovered in a site rich in prehistoric remains, provided a unique opportunity to investigate ancient human behaviour and the circumstances surrounding death. We wanted to understand not just the cause of death, but the implications of that information for our understanding of early human life.
TNE: That’s fascinating! You’ve mentioned that the lethal wounds were caused by two impacts from the same object. Can you tell us more about how you were able to determine that?
NS: Absolutely. Using cutting-edge imaging techniques, we were able to analyze the skull in great detail. The two closely spaced holes above the left eye suggested that the impacts occurred almost simultaneously but along slightly different trajectories. This kind of precision allowed us to reconstruct the event as it might have happened, which provides insights into the nature of interpersonal conflict during that time.
TNE: So, you’re suggesting this skull could be evidence of violence in early humans. How significant is this finding in understanding human evolution?
NS: It’s significant in several ways. Firstly, it challenges the notion that early humans lived largely peaceful lives. Evidence of violence—whether intra- or intergroup—could suggest competition for resources or social structures that may have been more complex than previously thought. Furthermore, it pushes us to consider how conflict shaped our ancestors’ social dynamics, potentially influencing evolution itself.
TNE: Given the skull’s age, what limitations did you encounter while conducting your research, and how did modern technology help overcome them?
NS: One major challenge with ancient specimens is degradation over time. The materials can be fragile, which makes traditional forensic methods difficult. However, modern imaging, such as CT scans and 3D reconstructions, allowed us to analyze the skull without physical manipulation. This technology is revolutionary in paleoanthropology and forensic science, enabling us to glean significant insights without compromising the integrity of the specimens.
TNE: That’s incredibly impressive! As forensic techniques continue to advance, what future directions do you foresee for research in this field?
NS: The future is very promising. We are increasingly able to combine archaeological findings with modern forensic techniques, including DNA analysis and isotopic studies, to gain a holistic view of early humans. This interdisciplinary approach can unearth details about their lives, diets, health, and interactions. I’m hopeful this will lead to a more nuanced understanding of our ancestors.
TNE: Lastly, if there’s one takeaway for our readers regarding this skull and what it reveals about human history, what would that be?
NS: I think it’s essential to recognize that our past is not a simple narrative of progress or decline. Human behaviour—like conflict—has been a part of our history for millennia. This finding highlights the complexity of human relationships and interactions, reminding us that even our ancient ancestors faced challenges that shaped the trajectory of our evolution. Understanding this can help us appreciate the resilience of mankind throughout history.
TNE: Thank you so much for sharing your insights today, Nohemi. It’s compelling to see how the past can inform our present and future.
NS: Thank you for having me. I look forward to continuing this dialog as we uncover more about our human story!