the-star-stuff: Bashed Skull Is Earliest...

$the-star-stuff: Bashed Skull Is Earliest Evidence of Human Aggression? Ancient human found in China got “a real good knock to the head.” A viciously bashed prehistoric skull from China offers some of the earliest known evidence for violence between humans—but also suggests the ancient aggressors had a caring side. The discovery is based on CT scans of a 126,000-year-old human known as Maba Man, so named because his fossil remains were found near Maba in Guangdong Province in 1958. (Related: “Oldest Modern Human Outside of Africa Found.”) The scans revealed a skull fracture caused by blunt force trauma. The victim was probably clubbed with a weapon such as a stone, heavy bone, or lump of wood, according to a new study. “This person had a pretty serious injury—it would have been a real good knock to the head,” said team member Lynne Schepartz, of the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. The blow likely caused bleeding and a concussion—inducing nausea, vomiting, and perhaps even brain damage—leaving the victim prone and helpless, Schepartz said. (continue reading)$

the-star-stuff:

Bashed Skull Is Earliest Evidence of Human Aggression?

Ancient human found in China got “a real good knock to the head.”

A viciously bashed prehistoric skull from China offers some of the earliest known evidence for violence between humans—but also suggests the ancient aggressors had a caring side.

The discovery is based on CT scans of a 126,000-year-old human known as Maba Man, so named because his fossil remains were found near Maba in Guangdong Province in 1958.

(Related: “Oldest Modern Human Outside of Africa Found.”)

The scans revealed a skull fracture caused by blunt force trauma. The victim was probably clubbed with a weapon such as a stone, heavy bone, or lump of wood, according to a new study.

“This person had a pretty serious injury—it would have been a real good knock to the head,” said team member Lynne Schepartz, of the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

The blow likely caused bleeding and a concussion—inducing nausea, vomiting, and perhaps even brain damage—leaving the victim prone and helpless, Schepartz said. (continue reading)