Those stories about cannibal tribes count a very old tradition of human history.

A new study suggests that starvation and cannibalism might have been part of the everyday life for Neanderthals living in northern Spain 43,000 years ago.

New fossils bear evidence of human consumption.

Bones and teeth from 8 Neanderthal individuals dug since 2000 from the underground cave system of El Sidron in Asturias bear the hallmarks of a tough struggle for survival.

Many of the bones found in the cave present cut marks consistent with having been butchered for meat, scientists studying the remains of eight Neanderthal individuals have found.

Long bones from the arms and legs have been broken apart, to reach fatty bone marrow to eat, and some of the skulls show signs of having been opened to get at the brains.

"One possible explanation is that ecological conditions forced these people to eat whatever was at hand, even human flesh," said Antonio Rosas, of the National Museum for Natural Sciences in Madrid, Spain.

"Given the high level of developmental stress in the sample, some level of survival cannibalism would be reasonable," concluded the research team.

The cannibalism might also have been rite, in a similar way found in primitive tribes today.

"Signs of cannibalism could tell us something about the spiritual life of Neanderthals," Rosas says.

Teeth examination showed poor development linked to extreme dietary stress.

"Teeth from the remains showed evidence of periods of starvation or minimal nutrition, particularly during difficult life transitions like weaning or adolescence," according to Rosas.

"Teeth grow by adding thin layers of enamel, but when some change in the natural development of the individual occurs, the enamel is deposited more slowly, or stops altogether. Outside forces like climate or illness could also affect tooth growth," he said.

The bones were physically similar to those of other European Neanderthals from the same period.

A north-south variation in Neanderthal jaw bones suggests that southern populations from southern Europe had wider, flatter faces.

Many experts believe that Neanderthals could not compete with the modern people for food and shelter.

As Neanderthals were in difficulty, they were no match at the arrival of modern humans in Europe, 40,000 years ago and vanished 10, 000 years later.