Neanderthals may have eaten their own children as well as other adults, researchers have suggested.
Experts from the University of Bordeaux analysed the remains of a child aged between nine or 10 and found signs the body had been manipulated after death.
Professor María Dolores Garrald identified two large cut marks which suggest adults were trying to cut the dead child's thigh bone with flint tools to separate it from the joint.
This could suggest our barbaric ancestors ate the child, she claimed, although it is impossible to know for sure.
We already know Neanderthals had sex with humans and also enjoyed inbreeding, but the new research could be the grimmest ever insight into the lives of our ancient relatives.
“They might have been rituals – still in the 21 century these continue in certain parts of the world – or for food – gastronomic cannibalism or due to need,” she said.
These 57,600-year-old remains were first dug up from the Marrliac site in France between 1967 and 1980, but the research sheds new light on the child's unhappy end.
Even if the child didn't end up as dinner for some brutal adult, it is clear the Neanderthals carried out bizarre and morbid rites on dead bodies.
Professor Garralda added: "Some Neanderthal groups cut and tore apart child or adult corpses shortly after death."
Experts have not yet been able to find unequivocal evidence to show Neanderthals "ate human meat" even though it is known to happen in "other much more modern populations", Professor Garrald added.