Archaeologists have discovered the ancient grave of a person they refer to as a “mayor.” This individual was buried alongside a wealth of treasures about 6,800 years ago. The rare find was made in southern Germany and included items such as a halved boar’s tooth.
The remains date back to the Middle Neolithic period. They were unearthed near Eichendorf, a Bavarian town close to Munich near Germany’s borders with Austria and the Czech Republic.
The local government of the Dingolfing-Landau district reported that district archaeologists made the discovery last week while excavating in the village of Exing, about a mile west of Eichendorf.
The person buried in the grave was laid to rest with a variety of items believed to be for their journey into the afterlife. These included food and drink, materials for body painting, a stone ax, a stone adze, and a split boar’s tooth.
The wealth of items suggests the individual was of high status, possibly an elder or chieftain. Archaeologists refer to the individual as “The Mayor.”
At this stage of the investigation, the gender of the individual is unclear as is the age at the time of death.
Unusual to find human remains from the Middle Neolithic period
Moreover, the discoveries suggest the individual held a significant position, likely earned through his or her own efforts rather than inherited. The split boar’s tooth likely once served as a container, possibly holding a flint blade and tools for making fire. This was considered a symbol of status, as hunting wild boars was dangerous during that era.
The individual in the grave was laid to rest in a squatting position, surrounded by several vessels near the head, though the original contents remain a mystery. One of these vessels, positioned in front of the skeleton’s face, likely served as a personal cup. Additionally, stone blades were carefully placed within the grave, according to Live Science.
Since 2023, archaeologists from the district government have been conducting excavations at Exing. Residential development is expected in the area.
Their work has unearthed remarkable discoveries spanning approximately 7,000 years from the Neolithic period to the Copper and Bronze Ages. Among these findings are pieces of gold jewelry, offering fascinating insights into the region’s ancient history.
Eibl emphasized the significance of the area during the Neolithic era, citing rich settlements such as Köthingeichendorf, which held considerable importance across Europe during that period.
Moving forward, “The Mayor’s” skeleton will undergo examination on-site by an anthropologist. Detailed photographs will be taken to create an accurate 3D model using a technique called photogrammetry. This process involves stitching together multiple digital images to generate a virtual model, as reported by Live Science.
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