<p>Ancient humans from the Palaeolithic era in Western Europe may have followed the practice of chopping their fingers off to appease their deities, new research has found.</p>

<p>Archaeologists studied hundreds of cave paintings that showed missing at least a portion of their phalanges to reach this conclusion.</p>

<p>“There is compelling evidence that these people may have had their fingers amputated deliberately in rituals intended to elicit help from supernatural entities,” archaeologist professor Mark Collard of Simon Fraser University in Vancouver was quoted as saying by The Guardian.</p>

<h2><strong>What was revealed in cave paintings?</strong></h2>

<p>In 200 ancient handprints, each one was missing at least one finger, with some only losing a part of the upper segment while others lost multiple fingers.</p>

<p>Collard's presentation expanded on his original 2018 idea that our prehistoric ancestors intentionally amputated fingers as a form of reverence to deities.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>To support this, Collard and PhD student Brea McCauley highlighted 100 other ancient societies where finger amputation was practised, and people commemorated their lives through handprint and stencil paintings.</p>

<p>“This practice was clearly invented independently multiple times,” they state in the paper. “And it was engaged in by some recent hunter-gatherer societies, so it is entirely possible that the groups at Gargas and the other caves engaged in the practice.”</p>

<h2><strong>Alternative theories&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Previously, scientists speculated that finger amputations might be linked to sign language or a counting system, frostbite, or artists bending fingers for artistic illusion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Collard and McCauley argued that finger amputation was just one type of self-mutilation practised by ancient and even some modern societies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller</strong></p>

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<p>They mentioned other rituals like fire-walking, face-piercing with skewers, and inserting hooks through the skin to pull heavy chains, all serving similar ritualistic purposes.</p>

<p>The example of Dani women from the New Guinea Highlands cutting off their fingers to symbolise the death of a loved one was also presented as a contemporary practice of such rituals.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Ancient humans from the Palaeolithic era in Western Europe may have followed the practice of chopping their fingers off to appease their deities, new research has found.

Ancient humans from the Palaeolithic era in Western Europe may have followed the practice of chopping their fingers off to appease their deities, new research has found. Archaeologists studied hundreds of cave paintings that showed missing at least a portion of their phalanges to reach this conclusion. “There is compelling evidence that these people may have had their fingers amputated deliberately in rituals intended to elicit help from supernatural entities,” archaeologist professor Mark Collard of Simon Fraser University in Vancouver was quoted as saying by The Guardian. What was revealed in cave paintings? In 200 ancient handprints, each one was missing at least one finger, with some only losing a part of the upper segment while others lost multiple fingers. Collard's presentation expanded on his original 2018 idea that our prehistoric ancestors intentionally amputated fingers as a form of reverence to deities. Also read: Scientists develop wireless charger that can be fitted inside human body, dissolve later To support this, Collard and PhD student Brea McCauley highlighted 100 other ancient societies where finger amputation was practised, and people commemorated their lives through handprint and stencil paintings. “This practice was clearly invented independently multiple times,” they state in the paper. “And it was engaged in by some recent hunter-gatherer societies, so it is entirely possible that the groups at Gargas and the other caves engaged in the practice.” Alternative theories Previously, scientists speculated that finger amputations might be linked to sign language or a counting system, frostbite, or artists bending fingers for artistic illusion. However, Collard and McCauley argued that finger amputation was just one type of self-mutilation practised by ancient and even some modern societies. Watch: New evidence suggests size of the Sun could be smaller × They mentioned other rituals like fire-walking, face-piercing with skewers, and inserting hooks through the skin to pull heavy chains, all serving similar ritualistic purposes. The example of Dani women from the New Guinea Highlands cutting off their fingers to symbolise the death of a loved one was also presented as a contemporary practice of such rituals. (With inputs from agencies)

Ancient humans in Europe would chop their fingers off to appease deities: Study 

<p>A temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala has taken a revolutionary step by introducing a robot elephant to do religious rituals. This move towards holding religious events in a "cruelty-free manner" comes after years of concerns by animal activists. As per a BBC report, the mechanical robot has been donated to the Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur district by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and actress Parvathy Thiruvothu. The robot, which is made of an iron frame, is 11 feet tall and weighs 800 kg. The initiative is reportedly part of a pledge to stop using live animals for festivities.</p>

<p>Animal welfare organisations have for years flagged the "cruel" treatment temple animals face. Just last week, the Centre for Research on Animal Rights wrote to Kerala's chief minister regarding the increasing mortality of captive elephants in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;'Toro Jubilo': Fiesta or grotesque tradition from the stone ages?</strong></p>

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<p>The letter alleged that between 2018 and 2023, the mortality of the large mammal increased significantly, with over&nbsp;138 captive elephants&nbsp;dying over the period of five years.</p>

<p>"It's high time we made stronger and more impactful strides towards stopping such abuse and letting animals have respectful and dignified lives," said the organisation.</p>

<p>Take a look at the realistic robot elephant here:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mechanical elephant Irinjadappilly Raman will be used in the temple’s rituals.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElephantRobotRaman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElephantRobotRaman</a> <a href="https://t.co/lUUnFEVBaN">pic.twitter.com/lUUnFEVBaN</a></p>
— PETA India (@PetaIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PetaIndia/status/1629824167867711489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/parvatweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@parvatweets</a> has given her seal of approval, too!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElephantRobotRaman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ElephantRobotRaman</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ukav8anw0J">pic.twitter.com/Ukav8anw0J</a></p>
— PETA India (@PetaIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PetaIndia/status/1629830867437887489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/120-billion-wiped-out-in-seven-days-of-indian-stocks-meltdown-566701">$120 billion wiped out in seven days of Indian stocks meltdown</a></strong></p>

<p>Rajkumar Namboothiri, a priest at the temple while talking to Indian Express newspaper, said that they were happy with the donation.</p>

<p>"We hope other temples will also think about replacing elephants with robotic elephants for their rituals," he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/video-19-year-old-indian-teenager-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-while-dancing-566663">VIDEO | 19-year-old Indian dies of cardiac arrest while dancing</a></strong></p>

<p>However, not everyone is happy with the step. Some people on Twitter were quick to label it an experiment with Hindu culture. Others hailed the move. As one user put it, "who says science and religion cannot come together?"</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala has taken a revolutionary step by introducing a robot elephant to do religious rituals. This move towards holding religious events in a "cruelty-free manner" comes after years of concerns by animal activists.

A temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala has taken a revolutionary step by introducing a robot elephant to do religious rituals. This move towards holding religious events in a "cruelty-free manner" comes after years of concerns by animal activists. As per a BBC report, the mechanical robot has been donated to the Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur district by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and actress Parvathy Thiruvothu. The robot, which is made of an iron frame, is 11 feet tall and weighs 800 kg. The initiative is reportedly part of a pledge to stop using live animals for festivities. Animal welfare organisations have for years flagged the "cruel" treatment temple animals face. Just last week, the Centre for Research on Animal Rights wrote to Kerala's chief minister regarding the increasing mortality of captive elephants in the state. Watch | 'Toro Jubilo': Fiesta or grotesque tradition from the stone ages? The letter alleged that between 2018 and 2023, the mortality of the large mammal increased significantly, with over 138 captive elephants dying over the period of five years. "It's high time we made stronger and more impactful strides towards stopping such abuse and letting animals have respectful and dignified lives," said the organisation. Take a look at the realistic robot elephant here: Mechanical elephant Irinjadappilly Raman will be used in the temple’s rituals.#ElephantRobotRaman pic.twitter.com/lUUnFEVBaN — PETA India (@PetaIndia) February 26, 2023 × .@parvatweets has given her seal of approval, too!#ElephantRobotRaman pic.twitter.com/Ukav8anw0J — PETA India (@PetaIndia) February 26, 2023 × Also read | $120 billion wiped out in seven days of Indian stocks meltdown Rajkumar Namboothiri, a priest at the temple while talking to Indian Express newspaper, said that they were happy with the donation. "We hope other temples will also think about replacing elephants with robotic elephants for their rituals," he said. Also read | VIDEO | 19-year-old Indian dies of cardiac arrest while dancing However, not everyone is happy with the step. Some people on Twitter were quick to label it an experiment with Hindu culture. Others hailed the move. As one user put it, "who says science and religion cannot come together?" (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

When science and religion come together: Indian temple unveils realistic robot elephant. Watch it here!

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Ancient humans in Europe would chop their fingers off to appease deities: Study

When science and religion come together: Indian temple unveils realistic robot elephant. Watch it here!