One of mankind’s ancient demises was conceivably one of the most horrifying – after it was brought about by a massive beast. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments
An early ancestor of humanity suffered a severely vicious conclusion at the hands of an extinct mega-predator in an event which may be one of history’s most brutal deaths.
The individual, termed OH7, was a Homo habilis, among the earliest human species inhabiting southern and eastern Africa, meeting his demise via a gigantic crocodile.
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Thankfully, these formidable creatures are now gone.
The Crocodylus thorbjarnarsoni, a crocodile native to Kenya’s Turkana Basin, represented the largest ever to roam, extending up to 25 metres in length and with a mass of 25 tonnes.
Furthermore, the Homo habilis was one of the smallest species – with individuals typically reaching heights of around 4 feet tall “which made them very very vulnerable and their lives very challenging”, as reported by Extinct Zoo, according to the Mirror.
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OH7 – an individual who likely resided in an ancient marshy locale, experienced his first fatal blow when the croc eradicated his leg – since his wound was instantly drenched in grimy, scorching mud.
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Subsequently, the second assault occurred. A large feline then ravaged his head – engraving profound gashes into his bones. Scientists posit the cat could have been a leopard.
Extinct Zoo stated: “It’s suggested that, whilst being assailed by the croc – he may have pivoted to confront it, exposing his back to a nearby feline.”
Even in the present day, crocs and big cats have been observed vying for the same piece of prey – suggesting this scenario might have been OH 7’s end. Separately, in another appalling demise, a Homo heidelbergensis, a species of ancient human from the Middle Pleistocene era of Europe and Africa, was discovered with perforations in his skull within a Spanish cavern, believed to be the most ancient case of murder.
This implies he would have rapidly succumbed to severe head and brain trauma.
The cave was sloping and featured sharp edges, giving scientists reason to believe that these may have formed the holes – yet the holes were identical.
It was thus contemplated that an animal caused the perforations- nevertheless, no animals’ teeth aligned with these marks.
It was inferred that the perforations had to have stemmed from stone axes – which generate considerable blunt force trauma – thus indicating this man was potentially murdered 430,00 years ago.
Extinct Zoo said: “It is now viewed as the earliest instance of homicide, suggesting that murder may have been intertwined with our history even before our existence.”
Thousands of other bones were also unearthed in the cave, meaning numerous others might have encountered a similar fate.
However, none were as old as the initial case of Homo heidelbergensis murder.
The prevailing theory is that this cave might have been one of the oldest known examples of a designated burial place.
“This early violence could have resulted from a skirmish over resources or territory,” the channel further stated.