Ancient skeleton discovered in Bavaria dates back millennia
Diggers unearth ancient remains in Bavaria, Germany - revealing details about an important figure of the time.
In the region of Eichendorf, Lower Bavaria (situated in Dingolfing-Landau district), archaeologists stumbled across an estimated 6800-year-old corpse featuring a wealth of grave items. The burial and the make-up of the grave goods suggest that the individual - dubbed "Exinger" - held a lofty position in the community, according to local archaeologist Florian Eibl. "Seemingly, a front-runner from early times."
This find was made during exploratory excavations prior to constructions works. What makes it stand out is that it's a true body grave, as Eibl points out, since the majority of individuals from this age were interred differently.
The remarkable standing of the Exinger suggests that the person it belonged to had to acquire this status through his accomplishments and not by inheritance. The skeleton is yet to be examined sufficiently to determine its sex and age.
Boar's tooth as a symbol of power
The assortment of grave goods included a pouch laced with two boar's teeth halves, which ideally encased a knife and utensils for igniting fire. The boar's teeth are seen as a kind of status symbol by Eibl, as hunting these beasts with the primitive weapons of those times was extremely perilous.
Around the skeleton's head were placed several containers. Eibl expressed optimism that the contents of these receptacles will be unveiled to provide more information on the contents. Additionally, a drinking bowl was found close to the face of the skeleton - possibly the personal cup of Exinger - and stone blades were discovered both in front of and behind the body. The blade behind the back was notably distant, explaining Eibl. This confirmed that it had not been a part of the buried man's body.
The archaeologists also discovered a bowl elevated above the skeleton, containing what may have been graphite - a common dye in those days. Eibl conjectures that the graphite could have been used in the burial rituals. Ultimately, he concluded that the graves and items shed light on the cultural aspects of the burial practices, rather than the individual.
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Source: www.ntv.de
