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The Neolithic period, considered to be the last part of the Stone Age, may have been a brutal time to be alive for many people in Europe. Archaeological studies have found evidence of massacres involving entire communities, somewhat common abductions of young females, executions and mass graves. The areas of Achenheim and Bergheim, in Northeastern France, were found to have experienced this kind of violence sometime around 4300–4150 BCE.

A study from 2015 documented the existence of large burial pits consisting of the remains of individuals with severed limbs and many who experienced seemingly unnecessary brutality beyond what would have been required to kill them. This evidence suggested that these individuals were victims of war practices, but the possibility that they were outcast community members who were tortured, sacrifices or individuals brought back for burial after battle could not be excluded.

Other burials pits at these locations included relatively unbattered and intact remains, suggesting these were individuals who died by other means and were likely members of the community.

To find out more about the origins of the victims who experienced violent treatment and the social context of these violent events, a group of researchers conducted isotopic analysis on samples of the teeth and bones of 82 individuals from the two sites, both of those who were tortured and those who were not. The study, recently in Science Advances, aimed to determine more about their diet, mobility, and early life histories and to provide a comparison of those who were victims and those who were not.

Their analysis revealed a stark difference between the two groups, suggesting that victims likely belonged to invading groups, not the local population. The victims showed evidence of having a different diet than those that appeared to have a normal burial, different cultural practices and also mobility patterns occurring during childhood that indicated possible migration.

The study authors believe these differences provide strong evidence that the mutilations were war-related and that the severed arms may have served as a kind of trophy which aligned with the practices of others during the period.

"The most likely scenario is that the severed upper limbs were trophies taken from the bodies of enemies fallen in battle or raids immediately after death and brought to the village. Heads and hands seem to be the most common human trophies documented in the archaeological record, although written and ethnographic sources often refer to other body parts, including soft tissues which would not generally preserve, such as scalps, ears, or genitals," the authors write.

They say this site represents "one of the earliest well-documented instances of martial victory celebrations in prehistoric Europe." The study has shed more light on the social and martial practices of Neolithic people, possibly challenging some assumptions about their way of life. The authors point out the possible legitimization of violence by religious beliefs and of likely dehumanization and "othering" of the enemy to justify violence, a practice seen in many cultures throughout human history.

They explain, "Victims may have addressed spiritual goals (e.g., provided food and slaves for ancestors or gods), legitimized political authority through the display of merciless brutality, and paid tribute to glory.

"The dehumanized image created of the enemy—commonly portrayed as depraved and evil, thus meriting cruelty and retaliation—during protracted conflict would enable perpetrators to kill and maim and the rest of the community to support such actions through moral disengagement. The fear of what happens if a demonized enemy is not overcome—or at least contained—would become a justification for perpetuating or even escalating violence."

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