Dr. Francesc Marginedas is giving a lecture on cannibalism in prehistoric Europe

Dr. Francesc Marginedas, a researcher at the University of Vienna and associate researcher at IPHES-CERCA, gave the lecture “Consuming the dead: cannibalism, violence and ritual in prehistoric Europe”, where he discussed one of the most complex and debated practices in the archaeological record.

The talk presented how archaeologists identify cannibalism in prehistoric contexts and explored the various social, ritual, or violent meanings this practice might have had in different past societies.

The lecture included several prominent case studies, such as Gran Dolina (Atapuerca), Maszycka Cave (Poland), and the Neolithic and Bronze Age levels of El Mirador Cave (Atapuerca); all of which are the result of research conducted by IPHES-CERCA staff.

The event was organized by PhD students in Archaeology at the University of Liverpool and took place on February 19, 2026.