Scientists Discover Bones and Teeth of a Sacrificial Victim from the Neolithic Era, Age and Gender Uncertain
A team of archaeologists from the Roskilde Museum uncovered human remains in what was once a swamp near Stenløse, on the island of Zealand, northwest of Copenhagen, Denmark, as reported by Ancient Origins on December 15.
Archaeologists found leg bones, a pelvis, and a jaw of a skeleton in a swamp near Stenløse. (Photo: Christian Dedenroth-Schou/ROMU)
Initially, they discovered a thigh bone, a jaw, and several teeth along with leg and pelvic bones. Later, they uncovered remnants of a flint axe and animal bones, indicating that a sacrificial ritual took place approximately 5,000 years ago, during the Neolithic period (10,000 – 2,200 BCE).
Scientists have yet to determine the gender and age of the deceased. However, it is clear that the individual did not accidentally fall into the swamp but died as a result of the sacrificial process. Archaeologists have documented numerous instances of swamps being used for human and animal sacrifices, along with other offerings in ancient times.
“When we found the bone fragments, we thought we were uncovering something truly fascinating. It’s a unique experience—discovering swamp remains is quite rare. This dates back to the early Neolithic period in Denmark. We know that human sacrifice has existed since ancient times—we have other examples of this practice,” said Emil Winther Struve, an archaeologist at the Roskilde Museum.
The oldest known swamp remains in the world, Koelbjerg Man, were discovered in Denmark in the 1940s and may date back 10,000 years. One of the most famous bog bodies, Tollund Man, was also found in Denmark in the 1950s and dates back to 400 BCE.
According to regulations in Denmark, before constructing a new residential area, experts must conduct archaeological surveys in the region. For this purpose, the swamp near Stenløse was drained, revealing the swamp remains and other artifacts.
However, as the harsh winter set in, scientists had to wait for the thaw to begin the next phase of excavation. Other parts of the skeleton, lying outside the protective layer of peat in the swamp, have not survived. Studying the teeth will help determine the age, while analyzing the pelvic bones will assist in identifying the gender. The teeth may also provide additional information about the identity of the deceased, helping to decode the reasons behind the sacrificial act.
