Whilst men fighting over women is a common occurrence today, scientists claim they have found evidence of prehistoric battles over females that were far more deadly.

Several Archaeologists had argued that women have long motivated cycles of violence and blood feuds throughout history, but there has never really been solid archaeological evidence to support this view.

However, while re-examining a three metre long burial pit containing 34 skeletons of people who had been attacked by a rival tribe around 5,000BC; and then discovered by archaeologists in the 1980′s, researchers were able to work out the origins of the victims tossed into the mass grave near Talheim, in south-west of Germany.

Then, using a relatively new method, they were able to distinguish one tribe from another; showing that neighbouring tribes were prepared to kill their male rivals, in order to obtain women, about 7,000 years ago.

Most of the skeletons bore marks to the left side of the skull, indicating that they were probably hit with a stone axe, and each had been bound before being murdered, while others may have been killed by arrow-wounds from behind as they apparently tried to flee.

Scientists from Durham University, in collaboration with researchers from University College London, University of Wisconsin and a German government body, analysed the Strontium, Carbon and Oxygen isotope “signatures” of the skeleton’s teeth, which gave vital information about the victim’s geological origin and diet. This analysis showed that the men and children all came from the same local tribe, but all the women were from different tribes. The researchers concluded from this information that the absence of local females meant they had been spared execution and had been captured instead. They then speculated that capturing the women could even have been the primary motive for the attack.

Lead researcher, Dr Alex Bentley, from Durham University’s Anthropology Department, said:

It seems this community was specifically targeted, as could happen in a cycle of revenge between rival groups.

Although resources and population were undoubtedly factors in central Europe around that time, women appear to be the immediate reason for the attack. Our analysis points to the local women being regarded as somehow special and were therefore kept alive.

Prior to this study, published in the journal Antiquity, archaeological evidence suggested prehistoric violence was largely triggered by disputes over resources, overcrowding and property.

Dr Bentley added:

There is a theory that the most violent feuds in developing communities are motivated by women and pigs and this would slot into that theory.

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Posted by Jonathan in Anthropology, History

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