Krapina 3: Cut Marks and Ritual Behavior?

Abstract

Incisions on the frontal of the Krapina 3 cranium differ from other cut
\nmarks from the site. Thirty-five, mostly parallel marks course up the frontal
\nfrom right of the midline, just posterior to the supraorbitale point to left of
\nthe midline, slightly anterior to bregma. They are angled mostly perpendicular
\nto the midsagittal plane, averaging 5.2 mm in length and are on average
\n1.2 mm apart. The marks' characteristics are not consistent with scalping,
\ncannibalism, defleshing or other perimortem activities described for
\nNeandertals or modern groups. These marks represent a type of funereal behavior
\nyet to be documented in Neandertals and suggest a kind of ritual
\ntreatment of the deceased.