Archaeological discoveries often reveal intriguing glimpses into ancient human behavior, and one such discovery from the Early Bronze Age at Charterhouse Warren, England, offers a chilling and grim story about violence and its implications for social interactions in prehistoric times. In a site that has captivated the attention of archaeologists, over 3,000 human bones and bone fragments were unearthed, revealing evidence of massacre, butchery, and likely cannibalism. This find is considered exceptional because, while numerous human skeletons from Britain dating back to the Early Bronze Age (ca. 2500–1500 BC) have been found, direct evidence of violent conflict from this period is rare.
The bones from Charterhouse Warren paint a strikingly different picture of Early Bronze Age Britain. Archaeologists have concluded that these people were not only violently killed but were also butchered in a manner that suggests they may have been partially consumed by their enemies. This behavior, according to the lead author of the study, Professor Rick Schulting of the University of Oxford, is an anomaly in the prehistoric record. “We actually find more evidence for injuries to skeletons dating to the Neolithic period in Britain than the Early Bronze Age,” Schulting states. “So Charterhouse Warren stands out as something very unusual.” This site, with its stark evidence of violence, challenges many preconceived notions about the relatively peaceful nature of Early Bronze Age society in Britain.
The remains were discovered in the 1970s, buried deep within a 15-meter shaft at Charterhouse Warren in Somerset. These bones belonged to at least 37 individuals, a mix of men, women, and children, and the arrangement of these remains suggested they belonged to a single community or group. This was not a typical burial site; in fact, the skulls showed distinct signs of violent trauma, with blunt force injuries indicating violent death. Unlike other contemporary burial sites where individuals were laid to rest in a relatively peaceful manner, the evidence at Charterhouse Warren suggested something far more horrific.
In order to unravel the mystery behind this gruesome discovery, researchers from various European institutions conducted detailed analyses of the bones. Their findings, published in the journal Antiquity, revealed numerous cut marks and perimortem fractures—damages inflicted around the time of death—on the bones. These marks suggested that the victims had been intentionally butchered after death, possibly with parts of their bodies being consumed. The possibility that cannibalism was involved raises crucial questions about the social dynamics of the people living during this time and the reasons behind such brutal acts.
Cannibalism in prehistoric contexts is not entirely unheard of. For example, at Gough’s Cave in nearby Cheddar Gorge, evidence of cannibalism was interpreted as part of a funerary ritual, where the consumption of human flesh could have had symbolic or spiritual significance. However, the situation at Charterhouse Warren was markedly different. The bones showed signs of violent death with no indication of a struggle or defensive wounds, which suggests that the victims were taken by surprise and likely slaughtered in a quick, merciless attack. This is not indicative of ritualistic behavior, but rather of an attack by an enemy group.
But what was the purpose of cannibalizing the dead? While it is possible that the attackers consumed the victims for sustenance, this is highly unlikely given the abundance of cattle remains found in the same context. This suggests that food scarcity was not the driving factor behind the violence. Instead, cannibalism may have served a psychological or symbolic purpose. By consuming the flesh of the deceased and mixing the bones with those of animals, the attackers might have been dehumanizing their enemies, reducing them to the status of animals. This would have served to “other” the victims, making it easier to justify the extreme violence against them.
So why did this act of violence occur in the first place? The social and environmental conditions of the time offer few clear explanations. While periods of resource competition and climate change are often associated with increased conflict, there is no evidence to suggest that these factors played a significant role in this case. Archaeologists have not found any genetic evidence indicating the presence of distinct, separate communities in the area that might have led to ethnic conflict. Instead, the violence seems to have been caused by social factors, possibly the result of a perceived slight, theft, or insults that escalated into a brutal and disproportionate conflict.
Adding complexity to the situation, the researchers also found evidence of a plague in the remains of two children, indicating that disease may have been a factor in heightening tensions within the group. The discovery of plague in the bones was an unexpected finding that could suggest the presence of other societal stressors, although researchers remain unsure how—if at all—the plague may have been linked to the violent events at Charterhouse Warren.
The findings from this site provide a sobering view of prehistoric societies, where violence, seemingly triggered by personal or social disputes, could lead to horrific and disproportionate actions. This is not unlike more recent historical examples, where cycles of revenge or small grievances could escalate into widespread violence and atrocities. As Professor Schulting puts it, “Charterhouse Warren is one of those rare archaeological sites that challenges the way we think about the past. It is a stark reminder that people in prehistory could match more recent atrocities and shines a light on a dark side of human behavior.”
This discovery highlights the complexity of early human societies and offers an important window into the darker aspects of their social dynamics. The fact that such violence might not have been a one-time occurrence but part of a broader pattern of social instability and revenge underscores the need for continued research into the social structures, conflicts, and behaviors of prehistoric communities. Charterhouse Warren, as an archaeological site, does not just challenge our understanding of Early Bronze Age Britain; it also compels us to reconsider the nature of human violence and its underlying causes.
Ultimately, the massacre and subsequent cannibalization at Charterhouse Warren serve as a reminder that even in ancient times, human behavior could be marked by cruelty and a breakdown of social order. Despite the many advances in human society, these findings suggest that violence, once again, may have been an ever-present part of human interaction, shaped by complex and often unpredictable social dynamics. The story of Charterhouse Warren, though grim, offers valuable insights into the past, urging us to reflect on how violence, dehumanization, and social breakdown can echo through history.
More information: ‘The darker angels of our nature’: assemblage of butchered Early Bronze Age human remains from Charterhouse. Antiquity. DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2024.180