Canibalismo en el Pleistoceno/Cannibalism during the Pleistocene

Consumption of members of the same species occurs in many organism and it could be practiced by humans during Prehistory, although archaeological recognition is difficult. Many times we can show the intervention on the bodies, but we cannot prove the meat ingestion.  Neither is simple to know specific causes of each share cannibal action. The evidence can be interpreted in several hypotheses (equifinality). We have progressed in characterizing knives and tool marks on bodies, but our cultural complexity produces difficulties in defining the motivations of behaviors.We will try to provide an update about anthropophagy in archaeological record, particularly for the most ancient periods and Iberian area. We will try to outline reasons in each case and check for patterns as specie, period, economic system or belief.Documented cases can show a gastronomic cannibalism between simple hunters-gatherers and a "ritualisation" of this for complex hunters-gatherers. Anyway, since first manifestation in Atapuerca TD6 site, we note a clear conscience into hominine groups in identification and distinction of humans regarding to other animals.Nothing suggest territoriality or violence repeated during Palaeolithic. Sharing of resources and reciprocity should decrease the conflicts in times of shortage or fusion/fission  processes of groups.