Grim ‘cone-headed' skull that was BASHED IN 6,200 years ago found among mass grave as experts probe brutal death
Was it murder or a tragic accident?
BIG DIG Grim 'cone-headed' skull that was BASHED IN 6,200 years ago found among mass grave as experts probe brutal death
SCIENTISTS have uncovered a mass grave dating back 6,200 years - and one of the dead met their end in a particularly grim way.
A woman's head appears to have been brutally bashed in by a broad-edged object.
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Mass grave was uncovered in Iran
Credit: Zohreh Prehistoric Project
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Unclear if the brutal death was a result of murder or an accident
Credit: Mahdi Alirezazadeh
Experts noticed a very prominent triangular fracture on the left side of the head.
But they're stumped about whether it was a deliberate act of murder or a tragic accident.
The skeleton was part of a major haul unearthed in Iran.
Archaeologists also spotted something strange about the woman's head shape too.
The skull is cone-shaped which suggests it was deliberately modified when she was a child in a process known as cranial bandaging.
This is where fabric is wrapped around the head tightly around the skull of young ones when it's much softer.
Others with the same type of skull were buried alongside the woman.
Researchers studying the remains say the skull in question would have been weaker at withstanding such a harsh blow to the head.
However, the strike was so tough that it still would have killed her even if she had an unmodified skull.
"It should be noted that the blow was so severe that it would have fractured a normal, unmodified skull as well," Professor Mahdi Alirezazadeh, from Tarbiat Modares University in Iran, told LiveScience.
Grave of decapitated 'vampire' discovered in Knights Templar fortress
"So we cannot attribute cranial fractures solely to modified skulls."
He continued: "We know this woman experienced the fracture in the final moments of her life, but we don't have any direct evidence to say that someone intentionally struck her."
Their research was published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.
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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Grim ‘cone-headed' skull that was BASHED IN 6,200 years ago found among mass grave as experts probe brutal death
Was it murder or a tragic accident? BIG DIG Grim 'cone-headed' skull that was BASHED IN 6,200 years ago found among mass grave as experts probe brutal death SCIENTISTS have uncovered a mass grave dating back 6,200 years - and one of the dead met their end in a particularly grim way. A woman's head appears to have been brutally bashed in by a broad-edged object. 2 Mass grave was uncovered in Iran Credit: Zohreh Prehistoric Project 2 Unclear if the brutal death was a result of murder or an accident Credit: Mahdi Alirezazadeh Experts noticed a very prominent triangular fracture on the left side of the head. But they're stumped about whether it was a deliberate act of murder or a tragic accident. The skeleton was part of a major haul unearthed in Iran. Archaeologists also spotted something strange about the woman's head shape too. The skull is cone-shaped which suggests it was deliberately modified when she was a child in a process known as cranial bandaging. This is where fabric is wrapped around the head tightly around the skull of young ones when it's much softer. Others with the same type of skull were buried alongside the woman. Researchers studying the remains say the skull in question would have been weaker at withstanding such a harsh blow to the head. However, the strike was so tough that it still would have killed her even if she had an unmodified skull. "It should be noted that the blow was so severe that it would have fractured a normal, unmodified skull as well," Professor Mahdi Alirezazadeh, from Tarbiat Modares University in Iran, told LiveScience. Grave of decapitated 'vampire' discovered in Knights Templar fortress "So we cannot attribute cranial fractures solely to modified skulls." He continued: "We know this woman experienced the fracture in the final moments of her life, but we don't have any direct evidence to say that someone intentionally struck her." Their research was published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Grim ‘cone-headed' skull that was BASHED IN 6,200 years ago found among mass grave as experts probe brutal death
SCIENTISTS have uncovered a mass grave dating back 6,200 years - and one of the dead met their end in a particularly grim way. A woman's head appears to have been brutally bashed in by a broad-edged object. 2 2 Experts noticed a very prominent triangular fracture on the left side of the head. But they're stumped about whether it was a deliberate act of murder or a tragic accident. The skeleton was part of a major haul unearthed in Iran. Archaeologists also spotted something strange about the woman's head shape too. The skull is cone-shaped which suggests it was deliberately modified when she was a child in a process known as cranial bandaging. This is where fabric is wrapped around the head tightly around the skull of young ones when it's much softer. Others with the same type of skull were buried alongside the woman. Researchers studying the remains say the skull in question would have been weaker at withstanding such a harsh blow to the head. However, the strike was so tough that it still would have killed her even if she had an unmodified skull. "It should be noted that the blow was so severe that it would have fractured a normal, unmodified skull as well," Professor Mahdi Alirezazadeh, from Tarbiat Modares University in Iran, told LiveScience. Grave of decapitated 'vampire' discovered in Knights Templar fortress "So we cannot attribute cranial fractures solely to modified skulls." He continued: "We know this woman experienced the fracture in the final moments of her life, but we don't have any direct evidence to say that someone intentionally struck her." Their research was published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Bizarre 1,350-year-old burial of blue-eyed ‘Ice Prince' uncovered alongside dismembered sacrifice and treasure
The remains of hazelnuts, apples and a pear were also found, alongside dismembered remains of an animal ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the 1,350-year-old burial chamber of a young blue-eyed boy, packed full with ancient treasures. A small sword, rare silk clothes and a gold cross were just a handful of the items found with the child, indicating he came from a wealthy family. Advertisement 5 He was buried in leather clothes, according to researchers, with a small sword on a richly decorated belt Credit: BLfD 5 The boy, who experts believe was 2.5-years-old when he died, was buried with silver bracelets on his arms and silver spurs attached to his shoes Credit: BLfD 5 One of the boy's garments was a long-sleeved shirt made from linen and trimmed with strips of silk Credit: BLFD He was buried in leather clothes, according to researchers, with a small sword on a richly decorated belt. The boy, who experts believe was 2.5-years-old when he died, was buried with silver bracelets on his arms and silver spurs attached to his shoes, according to a statement from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation (BLfD). The boy has been dubbed the "Ice Prince" because archaeologists flash froze the burial chamber using liquid nitrogen to excavate its contents in a single block over 14 hours. DNA analysis suggested the boy had blue eyes and light-colored hair, while radiocarbon dating indicates he died between A.D. 670 and 680. Advertisement A new study of the burial, which was first discovered in the town of Mattsies in Bavaria in 2021, has revealed the body was laid on a fur blanket within the chamber. One of the boy's garments was a long-sleeved shirt made from linen and trimmed with strips of silk. Silk was hard to come by at the time, and was only available through the Byzantine Empire, according to LiveScience. The cross, made from thin strips of gold, may also indicate early Christian beliefs, before Bavaria was Christianised in the eighth century. Advertisement A bronze basin, a comb, a wooden bowl and a drinking cup with silver fittings were also placed on a woven mat at the foot of the body. Dozens of medieval skeletons in mysterious stone coffins unearthed by man renovating his cellar The remains of hazelnuts, apples and a pear were also found, alongside dismembered remains of an animal. Experts first thought these bones belonged to a dog. However, the creature has since been identified as a piglet, which may have been cooked and placed as a food offering. Advertisement The latest analysis from BLfD suggests the child died of a "chronic infection" in the middle-ear. "The boy's death must have shocked his regionally important family," the statement said. "They apparently made great efforts to give the child a burial in keeping with his social status." The burial chamber was made of stone, with a stone ceiling that sealed the remains and artefacts off from the world for 1,350 years. Advertisement The entire burial, therefore, was in "excellent condition," according to the experts. While silk is relatively durable, it is still susceptible to degrading over time, which can make long-term preservation challenging. However, the tightly sealed was able to preserve much of the fabric, researchers said. 5 The boy has been dubbed the "Ice Price" because archaeologists flash froze the burial chamber to excavate its contents in a single block Credit: BLFD Advertisement
