As it turns out, Stone Age people waged war in Europe over 5,000 years ago, although it was previously thought that large-scale massacres began later, when states had already formed. Evidence of the massacre was found in northern Spain - hundreds of human bones, mostly male, bearing numerous traces of knife and blunt trauma.
Researchers from the University of Oxford (UK) discovered these traces in the rock shelter of San Juan ante Portam Latinam in northern Spain. Here archaeologists found over 300 skeletons and thousands of bones, as well as stone weapons, including blades and axes. Radiocarbon dating of the bones showed that their owners lived between 3380 and 3000 BC, during the Neolithic period, and the site was the site of a major massacre.
Scientists concluded that there was a long-term conflict waged by young men, and based on the nature of the injuries, it turned out to be the most massive massacre in prehistoric history. The majority of injuries occur with blunt weapons such as clubs, axes or stones. Of the 153 people, about 70% were men, but female remains were also found, although the latter were not found to have visible injuries. This indicates the existence of an ancient class of warriors who participated in inter-group skirmishes.
It is not known why the conflict occurred here, but researchers say there is evidence of differences between different tribes in San Juan ante Portam Latinam. Thus, the people who lived in the lower part of the valley and their brothers from the foothills had different diets and different funeral rites. This likely divided communities living close to each other and caused war. In addition, local people were malnourished, which means that the early Neolithic was a rather stressful period for humanity, when inequality in society only increased.