Scientists have discovered evidence of a 9,000 year-old case of human decapitation that occurred in Brazil. The findings mark the oldest known case of decapitation ever discovered in the New World.

"The early Holocene age of Burial 26 extends the timeline of decapitation in South America by more than [4,500] years. As far as we could evaluate, in North America the oldest reported cases include the inferred decapitation from Windover Pond, Florida...and the demonstrated cases from the tributaries of the Ohio River in Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee.., which are also younger than Burial 26 from Lapa do Santo," the researchers wrote in the study.

The ancient murder evidence was discovered in a rock shelter at a site called Lapa do Santo, which is believed to have been occupied by humans as far back as 12,000 years ago, PLOS reported. The bone fragments of the buried body, dubbed Burial 26, included the cranium, jaw, first six cervical vertebrae, and two severed hands. The researchers were able to date the remains back to 9,000 years ago using accelerator mass spectrometry.

In the grave, the ancient victim's amputated hands had been laid over the face of the skull, and arranged opposite each other. The researchers also noticed v-shaped cut marks on the jaw and sixth cervical vertebra.

The Burial 26's isotopic signature uncovered in the strontium analysis was similar to what was seen in other Lapa do Santo, suggesting the individual was a member of the local group. The unusual presentation of the remains suggest the burial was most likely a ritualized decapitation, as opposed to trophy-taking behavior. The researchers believe the findings may point to "sophisticated mortuary rituals" among hunter gatherers in the region 9,000 years ago.  

"The authors think this may be the oldest case of decapitation found in the New Word, leading to a re-evaluation of the previous interpretations of this practice, particularly with regards to its origins and geographic dispersion," the researchers concluded.

The findings were published in a recent edition of PLOS.