Archaeologists in Poland made an astonishing discovery during a dig near Kraków when they unexpectedly uncovered the remarkably well-preserved skeleton of an individual who lived approximately 7,000 years ago.
Picture shows a human skeleton found in an archaeological excavation carried out by the Hispano-Irish Association in a ruined chapel in Valladolid, that expects to identify the remains of the Irish lord rebel "Red" Hugh O'Donnell, on May 28, 2020.
Neolithic Skeleton Found Near Fragments of Pottery
According to Live Science, the skeleton was found in a fetal position. Archaeologists were surprised by the significant find while working on the revitalization project of the market square in Słomniki, a town located about 15 kilometers north of Kraków.
Their initial expectations were to uncover remains of medieval city walls or remnants of the city's early stages. However, during the renovation, they stumbled upon a remarkably well-preserved skeleton from the Neolithic period, accompanied by pottery fragments.
The style of the pottery, belonging to the linear pottery culture, indicates that the burial likely dates back around 7,000 years. Paweł Micyk, the archaeologist leading the excavation, explained to the news outlet in an email that the burial site's loosely packed, non-acidic soil played a crucial role in preserving the skeleton.
The identity of the buried individual remains is unknown for now. Further analysis by an anthropologist is expected to provide more information. Additionally, the team plans to use radiocarbon dating to establish a more precise timeframe for when the person lived. Alongside the burial, fragments of flint were also discovered. Unfortunately, some of the grave goods were damaged due to previous leveling of the upper layer of the grave.
Małgorzata Kot, an archaeology professor at the University of Warsaw who is not involved in the excavation, expressed great excitement over the discovery. She noted that the burial belongs to the earliest Neolithic farmers who migrated from the south, crossing the Carpathian Mountains and entering Poland around the 6th millennium.
This finding holds significant archaeological and historical importance, shedding light on the early human settlements and their movements in the region during that time.
Other Evidence of the Skeleton's Neolithic Origin
Researchers also found other evidence supporting the 7,000-year-old age of the skeleton, including the presence of fragments from a vessel with decorations characteristic of the Linear Pottery Culture. As per an article in The First News, these decorations that resemble musical notes were created by carving into wet clay using a stylus.
The vessel found in the tomb is believed to have been a grave gift, indicating a belief in an afterlife during that time period. Despite the skeleton having a partially cracked skull, archaeologists suggest that this could be the result of the earth pressing down on the grave during filling.
In addition to the remarkable skeleton, other prehistoric artifacts have been uncovered in Słomniki. These include Bronze Age items dating back 3,000-4,000 years, such as a clay spinning wheel, fragments of weaving weights, clay vessels, and flint tools.
Słomniki has a well-documented history that traces back to 1287, when it was recorded as a hunting and trading settlement. It officially gained city status in 1358 under the reign of King Casimir III the Great. The ongoing excavation in the area continues to generate excitement among archaeologists, who anticipate more fascinating discoveries in the near future.
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