Mysterious 5,000‑year‑old tomb in Poland: necklace made of teeth and stone war axe found
A burial mound about 5,000 years old was discovered near the city of Wrocław in Poland. In the tomb, an almost fully preserved male skeleton, a necklace made of animal teeth, amber and bone beads, flint tools, and a stone war axe were found. Two skull fragments further heightened the mystery of the burial.
Archaeological digs near Wrocław in southwestern Poland uncovered an intriguing tomb dated to about 5,000 years ago. The mound located in the area near Żórawina could provide important information about the lives of communities linked to the Corded Ware Culture.
The mound, about 4 meters in diameter, was discovered as the research team was preparing to finish this year's fieldwork. Previously in the area, burial grounds dated to roughly AD 350‑430 from the Late Roman Period and the early Migration Period had been found. However, the newly discovered mound was determined to be several thousand years older than those.
42 animal teeth were found in the tomb.
In the burial chamber at the center of the mound, 42 animal teeth arranged to form a necklace were found. The presence of holes drilled into the root portion of all the teeth indicates that they were once linked together with a cord.
Initial examinations suggested that the teeth belonged to large mammals. They are thought to have come from canids, deer, and young bears. However, researchers have not yet ruled out the possibility that some of the teeth were human.
The necklace was found on the skeleton of an almost fully preserved adult male in the tomb.
In the tomb, beads made of amber and bone, flint knives, and an axe crafted from serpentine stone were also seized. The axe, initially dated to about 2900 BCE, provided a key clue to the age of the tomb.
Two Skull Fragments Under Investigation
One of the most striking finds in the tomb was the damaged skull fragments believed to belong to two adults.
Researchers are considering the possibility that these individuals may have had their heads severed before burial. However, that assessment has not yet been confirmed. A detailed examination of the cut marks and other damage on the bones will test the validity of the claim.
The Battle Axe Draws Attention
Signs of use on the stone axe found in the tomb also caught the researchers' attention. This suggests that the axe was not left in the burial merely as a symbolic or ceremonial object, but that the individual may have used it for hunting or combat during life.
The ornate necklace made from animal teeth, the axe, and other valuable items raise the possibility that the buried man might have held a special position within his community.
DNA and Isotope Analyses Will Be Conducted
Scientists from Wrocław University and Wrocław Medical University will examine the human and animal remains found with different scientific methods.
In the first stage, radiocarbon dating will be carried out. This analysis will enable the tomb's age to be determined more precisely and will determine whether the different remains are from the same era.
DNA analyses aim to uncover the biological sex, age, and possible kinship ties of the human remains. Genetic ancestry research could also offer clues about whether the people found in the tomb migrated between different regions.
Genetic work on the animal teeth will also help pinpoint the exact species used in the necklace.
The Origin of Ancient Humans Will Be Investigated
Researchers will also conduct chemical and isotope analyses on human and animal remains. In particular, strontium isotopes could help identify the regions where people lived during their childhood.
Comparing this data with results from Żórawina, nearby Iwiny, and other archaeological sites aims to reveal the movements of the communities living in the region.
The Corded Ware Culture groups spread across a large part of Europe during the 4th and 3rd millennia BCE. The movements of these communities are linked to groups from the East European steppes and to migration routes extending from the Black Sea and Caspian Sea to Central and Western Europe.
The Nearby Second Mound Will Be Examined
The research will not be limited to the cemetery in Żórawina. In a construction site in nearby Iwiny, another mound previously uncovered yielded a human skeleton, flint objects, amber ornaments, and two axes.
Scientists aim to create a more comprehensive picture of the lifestyle and movements of the Cordoned Pottery communities in the region by comparing findings from two tell sites.
Bones Are Preserved Inside the Soil
Because some bones were extremely fragile, researchers removed the remains together with the surrounding soil blocks. X‑ray imaging will be used to determine the bones' positions within the soil before the cleaning process begins.
The skeleton will also be examined for signs of injury, disease, and physical stress. Wear on the teeth and microscopic traces on the enamel will be studied to glean information about the individual's diet and daily life.
Researchers expect the first scientific results to emerge in the fall. By combining data from radiocarbon, DNA, isotope, and skeletal analyses, they aim to answer key questions about the lives of the Cordoned Pottery communities that moved through Europe about 5,000 years ago.
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