The Prince of the Arena-Candide: how a bear inflicted fatal wounds, yet the victim lived for several days.

According to ТСН: Researchers have discovered that the young man from the famous burial site in the Arena-Candide cave in northern Italy endured several days of horrific suffering after being attacked by a large predator. Bone analysis indicates that the boy's face and chest were torn apart by a powerful beast, likely a bear.

This burial, found in 1942 and dated to the period of 27,900-27,300 years ago, is considered one of the most significant Gravettian burials. Alongside the skeleton, archaeologists uncovered hundreds of shells, carved antlers, mammoth ivory, and a flint blade, symbolizing high status. As a result, the teenager was dubbed the 'Prince.'

New research and injuries

However, a recent study has revealed new details. A re-analysis of the bones showed severe injuries: a shattered collarbone, broken jaws, multiple skull fractures, teeth and cervical vertebrae fractures, as well as punctures in the fibula. Scientists note that the nature of the injuries resembles those resulting from car accidents, but in the case of the Paleolithic era, an attack by a large animal is more likely.

Researchers dismissed other hypotheses, as there are no characteristic fractures that could indicate a fall from a height, and the likelihood of interpersonal violence would hardly have resulted in such serious injuries to the jaw and shoulder girdle. Considering the fauna of that time, the attack could have been carried out by a brown or cave bear, and less frequently — a leopard or cave lion. However, bears typically leave such marks.

Duration of suffering

Most impressively, the bones show signs of early healing. This indicates that the teenager may have lived for another two to three days after the attack, despite the horrific injuries. The bear likely did not strike vital blood vessels, thus death occurred later, possibly due to internal bleeding, brain damage, or organ failure.

Researchers believe that this dramatic incident could have led to the extravagant burial. Instead of indicating high social status, it may have been a ritual response from the community to 'exceptional events' — an attempt to symbolically close the tragedy.

This version is also supported by another observation: the most elaborate Gravettian burials often belonged to individuals with unusual injuries or disabilities. Scientists believe that such rituals served the role of ritual 'recognition' and helped to cope with events that greatly impacted ancient society.

Let us remind you that archaeologists have found that the oldest known botanical art in the world — the ornaments of the Halaf culture of northern Mesopotamia, created around 6000 BC — contains early traces of mathematical thinking.

Thus, the family tree of ancient humans studied by scientists stands as important evidence of the development of human civilization even in the Paleolithic era. The examined facts may help better understand the life and customs of our ancestors, as well as show the role that predator attacks played in their daily lives.