List of incidents of cannibalism

An 18th century

List of Incidents of Cannibalism

Cannibalism, the act of consuming another individual of the same species as food, has been a part of human history and various cultures for millennia. This article provides a comprehensive list of notable incidents of cannibalism throughout history, spanning from ancient times to modern-day occurrences. It is important to note that the motivations behind these acts range from survival in extreme conditions to ritualistic practices and psychological disorders.

Prehistoric Times

Evidence of cannibalism in prehistoric times has been found through archaeological discoveries. Sites such as Atapuerca in Spain have yielded bones with cut marks, indicating the butchering of human bodies for consumption.

Ancient Civilizations

In ancient civilizations, cannibalism was often ritualistic or part of warfare practices.

• The Carthaginians were reported by their enemies to practice child sacrifice and possibly cannibalism, though these accounts are debated by historians.
• In Mesoamerica, the Aztecs practiced human sacrifice and are sometimes alleged to have consumed parts of the victims, though this is a topic of scholarly debate.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, instances of cannibalism were often related to famine or siege conditions.

• The Siege of Ma'arra during the First Crusade is one of the most infamous incidents, where crusaders reportedly resorted to cannibalism.

Early Modern Period

The early modern period saw cannibalism in the context of exploration, colonialism, and shipwrecks.

• The Donner Party in 1846–47, American pioneers who were stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains, resorted to cannibalism for survival.

19th Century

• The case of the Essex, a whaling ship that sank in 1820, inspired Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. The survivors, adrift in lifeboats, resorted to cannibalism.

20th Century

The 20th century contains numerous documented cases of cannibalism, often related to war, isolation, or extreme survival situations.

• During the Soviet famine of 1932–33, there were widespread reports of cannibalism.
• The Andes flight disaster in 1972 involved survivors of a plane crash resorting to cannibalism to survive in the mountains.

21st Century

Instances of cannibalism in the 21st century are often related to criminal acts or psychological disorders.

• In 2012, the case of Alexander Kinyua in the United States involved the murder and cannibalism of a roommate.

Cultural and Ritualistic Cannibalism

In some cultures, cannibalism has been practiced as a part of ritual or religious ceremonies.

• The Fore people of Papua New Guinea practiced a form of cannibalism as part of funeral rites, which led to the spread of the Kuru disease.

Cannibalism in Mythology and Folklore

Cannibalism features in the mythology and folklore of many cultures, often as a cautionary tale against such practices.

• The story of the Wendigo, a creature from Algonquian folklore, is said to be born from the act of cannibalism.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The legal and ethical considerations surrounding cannibalism are complex and vary by jurisdiction. In many places, there are no specific laws against cannibalism but related acts such as murder, desecration of corpses, and assault are illegal.

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