Archaeologists Excavating a Roman-Era Cemetery in Poland Were Surprised to Stumble Upon a 5,000-Year-Old Necklace Made of 42 Teeth

Archaeologists in Poland have uncovered a 5,000-year-old grave. Inside, they found a man's skeleton, two other skulls, and a unique necklace made from 42 animal teeth. This discovery happened near Żórawina, in southern Poland.

The site is usually known for a Roman-era cemetery from the fourth or fifth century C.E. However, this new find is much older.

A Surprising Discovery

Researchers, led by Tomasz Gralak from the University of Wrocław and Paweł Dąbrowski from Wrocław Medical University, were finishing their work on Roman graves. Then, they noticed the circular shape of an ancient burial mound, called a barrow. They decided to dig further.

As they dug, they found a line of sharp, single-peaked teeth. Each tooth had a hole drilled through its root. This arrangement suggests they were once strung together, likely on a rope that has since decayed.

Dąbrowski noted that it was clear this was not accidental. He explained that even though the string was gone, it was definitely an ornament made by human hands.

A Necklace from the Stone Age

This necklace is a very special archaeological find. Gralak told National Geographic Poland that the closest similar item is a necklace from Wojkowice, which had only four teeth and was from the Bronze Age.

The Żórawina necklace is much older, dating back thousands of years to Poland's Middle Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age. The teeth came from large mammals like wolves, deer, young bears, and possibly even humans.

Stone Age burial mounds often belonged to important male figures. This unique jewelry might have been a collection of hunting trophies or a gift. Dąbrowski believes the hunter was an important person, perhaps a family clan leader.

More Grave Goods and Future Research

In the deeper layers of the burial mound, researchers found a nearly complete adult male skeleton. They also found fragments of two other adult skulls, amber beads that might have been jewelry, a flint cutting tool, and an ax made of greenish serpentinite. The style of the ax, which showed signs of use, helped date the grave to about 2900 B.C.E.

The researchers plan to use radiocarbon dating to find the exact age of the skeleton. They will also analyze genetic material from the skulls and teeth to determine the gender and species of the individuals. By studying wear patterns and isotope levels in the enamel, they hope to learn about the diets of the teeth owners. They also want to find out if the extra skulls belonged to people who were intentionally decapitated.

This find may be linked to the Corded Ware culture, known for its pottery decorated with twisted-rope patterns. This culture was widespread across Europe in the third millennium B.C.E. Around the same time, other researchers in the nearby village of Iwiny found another important burial site with beads, axes, and flint tools, including the bones of a calf, possibly a sacrifice. Both burials could show the distinct funeral practices of the Corded Ware culture.