The intricately decorated ivory comb, featuring animal carvings, is an extremely rare artifact found in graves from the 6th century.
Researchers have excavated the tomb of a wealthy Medieval man in what is now Bavaria, Germany, as reported by Live Science on October 15. This individual may have been a valiant warrior who also paid great attention to his appearance.
The tomb containing the skeletal remains of a Medieval man and various artifacts. (Photo: Archaologieburo Dr. Woidich)
The man died at around 40 to 50 years old and was buried with fine weapons and a horse. His grave also contained luxurious personal items such as scissors and a finely carved ivory comb, which may have been used to style his hair and beard.
Additionally, the archaeological team discovered a second lavish grave containing the remains of a woman aged approximately 30 to 40 years. This grave included jewelry, food, and a high-quality red ceramic bowl, according to representatives from the Bavarian State Office for the Preservation of Historic Monuments (BLfD), the agency overseeing the excavation.
Both graves date back to around the 6th century. The ivory comb with closely spaced teeth and the ceramic bowl are exceptionally rare burial goods from this period and were likely truly luxurious items, according to expert Mathias Pfeil at BLfD.
The scientists found the two graves in an ancient village within the Ries impact crater. This ancient crater has a diameter of about 26 km and rises 200 m above the bottom, according to NASA. In the 1960s, Ries was identified as the site of a meteorite impact. Medieval Europeans may not have known it was a meteorite crater, yet they still used the vague outline of the depression at its center to establish a settlement approximately 1 km wide.
The ivory comb with intricate animal carvings. (Photo: BLfD)
The research team restored the broken comb and discovered animal carvings on both sides. The images depict creatures resembling gazelles fleeing from a predator, although scientists have yet to identify the exact species.
Combs are commonly found in Medieval graves, but most are simpler and not made from such fine materials. In the 6th century, carved ivory items were very rare in graves, and intricately carved ivory combs are especially scarce. Previously discovered combs from the same period featured Christian motifs rather than hunting scenes.
Near the man’s remains were the skeletal remains of a horse, horse fittings, and pieces of bridle. The grave also contained weapons such as a battle axe, spear, shield, and longsword, indicating that their owner was wealthy and important.
Meanwhile, the woman’s grave contained food items, such as eggs, and weaving tools. The standout item is the red ceramic bowl, which remains in very good condition. Unlike other items in the two graves, the bowl was not locally produced but likely originated from what is now Tunisia, North Africa.
The bottom of the bowl is engraved with a cross. The decorative patterns on the bowl’s rim may be mystical symbols or ancient runes that could reveal the name of the bowl’s owner. However, scientists still need to conduct further analysis to determine the meaning of this inscription.
