Were there serial killers in prehistoric times?

[raccoon]

I know there’s no way we could ever really know. But I wonder if they were something that came along with civilization.

Any anthropologists around here Who might have a thought about this? Or maybe sociologists or psychologists?

[BigmanPigman]

1. They probably took their aggression out on animals that they hunted for food or were

about to attack them. They channeled their testosterone driven angst into self defense and food.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

2. Do you want to count cannibals...

Well then yes, they had to go “shopping” on a regular basis.

[struggle4progress]

3. No. Some of my ancestors used to paint themselves blue

and burn people alive in wicker baskets, while others liked to cut people's backs open to pull out the lungs, but it was always meant in a friendly spirit: I like to think of it as their version of football

I just can't believe rhe sick stuff that happens nowadays

[rock]

12. Harmless merriment

[dameatball]

4. I don't know. But people lived in smallish bands, so when Grog and Gurg disappear....someone notices

[hlthe2b]

5. Wouldn't tribal warfare apply?

[raccoon]

6. I wouldn't think so. Serial killers kill just to be killing.

I wouldn’t think so. Serial killers kill just to be killing. Travel warfare would be they killed the other guy because he was in the tribe that they are at war with.

[hlthe2b]

11. I'm thinking more of the ritual genocide that occurred with neighboring peoples like w Incas/Aztecs?

and Mayans, I believe...

[Nay]

7. The only thing that would make them less likely back then would have been

the lack of anonymity among the small bands/communities.

That said, traveling merchants, traveling pilgrims or mercenaries would be occupations where a serial killer could easily leave a trail of corpses.

[radius777]

8. of course, but in a superstitious environment,

without scientific understanding of human behavior etc, it would likely be blamed on evil spirits or the wishes of the gods, etc.

[Zoonart]

10. I think, as the random bodies began to pile up.....

They began to call it...Wednesday. Usually, but not necessarily, preceded by a case Of The Mondays.

[GusBob]

9. Was there genocide? Was there mass murder?

I am guessing the answer is yes.

During the transition to hunter/gatherer to farmer/pastoral there was much conflict.