Discovery of Ancient Skeletons in France Shows Evidence of Mafia-Style Executions

More than 5,500 years ago, a gruesome ritual sacrifice took place in southwest France that involved the brutal torture of two women. This ancient form of torture, known as “incaprettamento,” is reminiscent of the methods used by the Italian Mafia today. The discovery of these skeletons sheds light on the dark practices that were prevalent in Neolithic Europe.

In 1985, archeologists unearthed three female skeletons at a site in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, France. The position of the skeletons indicated that two of the women were subjected to the heinous torture method of “incaprettamento,” where the victims are tied in such a way that they eventually strangle themselves. This finding revealed a chilling glimpse into the sacrificial rituals of the past.

Further analysis of skeletons from other archeological sites in Europe revealed 20 additional instances of similar sacrificial killings. This suggests that such rituals were not isolated incidents, but rather a widespread practice during the late Stone Age in Europe. The discovery of these sacrificial victims has opened a new chapter in our understanding of ancient beliefs and practices.

The third woman found at the site in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux was buried in a normal position, leaving researchers puzzled about her cause of death. However, the fact that all three women were buried together indicates a connection between them. The alignment of their burial place with the movements of the sun suggests that this site may have been used for seasonal gatherings involving human sacrifices.

Éric Crubézy, one of the lead authors of the study and a biological anthropologist, explained that the sacrificial practices in Neolithic Europe were driven by a belief in the connection between human sacrifice and agricultural fertility. The notion that a sacrifice was necessary for the prosperity of crops was a widespread belief in many ancient cultures, including the Inca civilization in South America. The excavation of the site in 1985 was revisited during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading researchers to delve deeper into the phenomenon of sacrificial killings in ancient Europe.

By analyzing existing literature, the research team was able to identify multiple instances of similar sacrificial rituals spanning over 2,000 years. The study suggested that there were likely more cases of sacrificial killings, but limited information hindered a comprehensive analysis. The burial of the three women in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux was particularly gruesome, as they were stacked atop each other and intertwined with grindstones.

This gruesome discovery strongly suggests that the women met their demise in the grave, possibly as a result of the sacrificial ritual. The researchers were able to determine with 95% certainty that the individuals were women based on pelvic bone measurements. In addition to women, men and children were also found to be sacrificed in similar ways at other sites across Europe.

The brutal nature of these sacrificial killings highlights the extreme beliefs and practices that were prevalent during the Neolithic period. Moving forward, researchers plan to explore the familial relationship between the three women in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux and investigate other unusual death rites in the vicinity. The recent findings provide valuable insights into the dark and unsettling practices of ancient societies in Europe.

The study of these sacrificial victims sheds light on the complex rituals and beliefs that shaped the cultural landscape of the past. As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries surrounding these ancient sacrificial practices, we gain a deeper understanding of the customs and beliefs of our ancestors.