Latest news with #Chalcolithic
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
Human remains found in Spain caves were victims of cannibalism — but by whom?
In the karst mountains of northern Spain, a cave once held an ancient family. The site was first excavated about 25 years ago when archaeologists found human remains dating back to the Neolithic period and Middle Bronze Age. Now, analysis of the bones found that not only were the people that called the cave home likely killed, but their bodies were then stripped, cooked and eaten, leaving only chewed bones in the wake. At least 11 individuals have been found as victims of cannibalism from a collection of hundreds of bones dating to around 5,700 years ago, researchers from the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution and the University of Rovira i Virgili said in an Aug. 7 news release. The group includes at least four adults, two juveniles and three children, two of which were under the age of 7, according to a study published Aug. 7 in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports. The ages of two individuals could not be determined. Some of the bones had 'signs of butchery' including percussion marks and peeling, but were also found to be burned or polished, a sign that the bones and meat on them had been cooked, according to the study. Most notably, crushing marks with longitudinal cracks and specific patterns of damage suggest 'human chewing,' researchers said. All of the individuals were local to the region, researchers said in the release, and had been eaten in a very short time period. They may have even been consumed in just a matter of days. Cannibalism has been observed in some communities as a ritual or in times of extreme starvation, but in those cases, the human remains aren't consumed so quickly, according to the release. 'So, several traits of the El Mirador assemblage are consistent with a similar interpretation. These include the short-term depositional episode coinciding with the final Neolithic occupation phase, the interruption of livestock-related activities, and the cave's functional shift, from pen to funerary space, in the subsequent Chalcolithic period,' according to the study. 'Together, these features lend weight to the hypothesis of 'warfare cannibalism,' in which the victims, likely a nuclear or extended family, may have been killed in a single event by a neighboring or external group.' Researchers said they didn't find explicit evidence of fatal injuries on the remains of the 11 people, but that it doesn't invalidate the possible cause, as many life-ending injuries do not leave marks on the bone. While nearly one thousand years apart, this isn't the first time cannibalism has been observed in the El Mirador cave. A previous case was identified from the Bronze Age, about 4,600 years ago, but the new study shows it was a practice in the area much earlier, according to the release. The researchers suggest the cave gives a snapshot look at violence at the end of the Neolithic, a period driven by extreme instability as cultures moved from foraging to farming, according to the study. 'High population pressure, competition over resources and interactions between indigenous Mesolithic groups and incoming Neolithic farming communities often resulted in violent confrontations of varying scale,' researchers said. El Mirador cave is in the Atapuerca Mountains of north-central Spain. The research team includes Palmira Saladié, Francesc Marginedas, Juan Ignacio Morales, Josep María Vergès, Ethel Allué, Isabel Expósito, Marina Lozano, Patricia Martín, Javier Iglesias-Bexiga, Marta Fontanals, Roser Marsal, Raquel Hernando, Aitor Burguet-Coca and Antonio Rodríguez-Hidalgo.
The Star
28-07-2025
- Science
- The Star
5,500-year-old flint blade workshop uncovered in S. Israel
JERUSALEM, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli archaeologists have uncovered an ancient flint blade workshop dating back about 5,500 years, near the southern city of Kiryat Gat, the Israel Antiquities Authority said in a statement on Monday. The site attests to an advanced industry, where skilled individuals produced Canaanite blades using sophisticated techniques, offering a rare glimpse into early specialization and social organization at the start of the Early Bronze Age, researchers said. A Canaanean blade is a long, wide blade made out of stone or flint, predominantly found at sites in Israel and Lebanon. While such blades have been uncovered in Israel's center and north, actual production sites are rare. The workshop was part of a large settlement that was inhabited for hundreds of years, from the Chalcolithic period through the Early Bronze Age. Excavations revealed hundreds of underground pits, some lined with mud bricks, used for storage, living spaces, crafts, and possibly ritual activity. The researchers said the long, sharp flint tools discovered at the site were used for butchering, cutting, and harvesting. Producing these blades required a high level of precision, possibly using a lever-based device to apply pressure to the flint, they explained. According to the researchers, the site may have served as a regional center for producing and distributing flint blades across the Levant, suggesting a society with well-developed economic roles and a structured community life far earlier than previously thought.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
This 6,500-year-old tomb hides the world's oldest Gold treasure and the secrets of Europe's first king
Some archaeological discoveries don't just reveal a forgotten past; they widen our understanding of early human societies. One such extraordinary discovery came up in 1972 on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, known as the Necropolis of Varna. Buried in the Chalcolithic soil, this ancient cemetery holds the oldest known processed gold in the world, dating back to 4,600–4,200 BC. This archaeological discovery consists of over 3,000 gold objects. These objects speak volumes about power and trade networks in prehistoric Europe. The discovery of elite tombs, especially one surprising burial overflowing with more gold than any other site of its era, suggests a structured society with clearly defined social tiers. In the industrial outskirts of Varna, Bulgaria, lies the Chalcolithic Necropolis, which is home to the world's oldest processed gold. First found in October 1972 by operator Raycho Marinov, the site was found with 294 graves filled with over 3,000 gold artefacts, weighing approximately six kilograms. Radiocarbon dating places the burials between 4,600 and 4,200 BC— predating the pyramids of Egypt, according to the official guide website, visit Varna. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cervecería Nacional CFD: Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Empieza a invertir hoy Prueba ahora Undo One tomb is special among these Among these tombs, Grave 43 stands out. Inside was the skeleton of a tall man, likely aged 40–50, wrapped in more than 1.5 kilograms of gold jewelry, including bracelets, necklaces, appliqués, a gold-covered scepter, and even a penis sheath. This extraordinary wealth leads scholars to believe he was a chieftain, king, or priest, and his burial is considered the first elite male burial found in Europe. The range and refinement of the gold items were done using advanced techniques like hammering, incising, and granulation; these are symbolic of a highly skilled metallurgical tradition in those times. But not all graves contained such wealth, with elite tombs, including symbolic burials without bodies, containing most of the gold, indicating clear social stratification. This discovery is not just special because of the amount of Gold found in the tombs, but also tells about the varied trade routes that might have existed during those times. The copper in the tools was likely sourced from the Sredna Gora mines, and Mediterranean Spondylus seashells, possibly used as currency, as it points to exchanges with the Aegean. The community was well constructed to the extent that it also extended to burial rituals, gender-differentiating body positions, empty symbolic graves with clay masks, and goods arranged in specific patterns suggest elaborate spiritual beliefs. Till now, only about 30% of the necropolis has been excavated, and the remaining finds hint at many more hidden treasures. Today, these artefacts are placed in the Varna Archaeological Museum and on display worldwide, giving an opportunity to have a glimpse into a prehistoric civilisation.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
World's largest bead collection found in 5,000-year-old Spanish tomb in Montelirio Tholo
A remarkable archaeological discovery in the Montelirio Tholos, a 5,000-year-old megalithic tomb in Valencina de la Concepcion, Seville, has unveiled what researchers describe as the world's largest collection of ancient beads, totaling over 270,000, according to Science Journal. The study notes that the beads are from the Chalcolithic period (3200–2500 BCE). World's l;argest collection of beads was found in a Spanish tomb(Unsplash) The Montelirio Tholos, a 39-meter-wide subterranean tomb constructed around 3000 BCE, was excavated between 2007 and 2010 by a team led by Leonardo García Sanjuan from the University of Seville. Read More: 11 workers killed after gold mine collapse in Sudan The tomb, part of the Valencina-Castilleja necropolis, contained the remains of at least 25 individuals, likely high-status members of a Copper Age community, alongside an unprecedented array of grave goods, the Science Journal website states. It further adds that 270,000 beads, primarily made from shell, amber, calcite, and greenstone, some strung together, were discovered. These beads range from 1 to 10 millimeters in diameter. 'A small group of 90 beads was found in the upper level of the second chamber (Structure 10.049), in connection with a rock crystal blade dagger, of whose ivory handle the beads are believed to have been a decoration,' the blog reads. Read More: 'Double-edged sword': Kremlin's 'painful recoil' warning on EU's fresh sanctions on Russia The study said that among the remains found in the Montelirio tomb, 15 of the 20 identified individuals were women. The Montelirio Tholos, dated to 2875–2700 BCE via radiocarbon analysis, aligns with the Copper Age's transition to complex societies, Science Journal states. 'A multi-analytical study undertaken over the past 5 years—including a meticulous quantification of the collection, the characterization of the raw materials, radiocarbon dating and chronometric statistical modeling, morphometric analysis, phytolith analysis, experimental work and contextual analysis—reveals several previously unidentified aspects of these remarkable creations. This includes the role of the attires as sumptuary attributes heavily loaded of symbolism, used by a selected group of women of high social significance.'
Hans India
24-06-2025
- Science
- Hans India
3,000-yr-old copper age cave painting and inscription discovered in Gangavathi
Gangavathi: In a discovery that could significantly contribute to the understanding of Karnataka's prehistoric human life and cultural evolution, a team of local historians and researchers has unearthed ancient cave paintings and a Kannada stone inscription believed to date back to the Chalcolithic era (Copper Age), around 3,000 years ago, in H.G. Ramulu Nagar, near Kattekallu Hill in Gangavati taluk, Koppal district. The exploration was carried out under the leadership of Dr. Sharanbasappa Kolkar, a noted historian and professor, with the assistance of researchers Manjunath Doddmani, Chandrashekhar Kumbar, and Nagaraj Shivapur. The team discovered the historic relics near Gali Durgamma temple, about a kilometre from H.G. Ramulu Nagar. Chalcolithic cave art and 17th-century inscription discovered At the foothills of Kattekallu Betta, the team discovered an ancient cave shrine facing south that houses a Kannada inscription dating back to the 17th century. Higher up, at the summit of the hill, they found prehistoric cave paintings, which the team believes belonged to early humans who may have used the location as a temporary residence. The inscription, which contains five lines of text accompanied by symbolic depictions of the sun, moon, bow and arrow, narrates that a person named Chinnayaka donated 22 khanda (units) of farmland in devotion to Ramanatha Deva, a deity referenced in the script. The inscription concludes with the phrase 'Jaya Tu Mastu' and contains several linguistic and stylistic inconsistencies, suggesting it warrants further scholarly examination to determine the identity of the individuals mentioned and their historical context. Evidence of early human settlement and cultural expression The cave ceiling features multiple drawings made using red pigment, depicting human figures, symbols, and scenes of men and women standing hand-in-hand, a form of early human symbolic communication. These artistic expressions strongly suggest a Chalcolithic cultural layer, placing them at nearly 3,000 years old, based on the stylistic comparison with other prehistoric rock art found in Karnataka. Adjacent to the cave, the team observed a series of depressions carved in stone, resembling musical notches. When struck with stones, these grooves emit distinct sounds. Researchers speculate that this form of sonic engagement might have been used by early humans as a means of entertainment, possibly while they kept watch over grazing animals in the nearby grasslands. 'This cave might have served as a shelter for Chalcolithic-era pastoral communities, who used the elevated position to monitor livestock while engaging in recreational activities like producing rhythmic sounds and painting images,' explained Dr. Kolkar.
