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  • Researchers in southern Poland discovered a Middle Neolithic grave dating to approximately 2900 B.C.E. while working on a later Roman-era cemetery.
  • The burial contained a nearly complete male skeleton, two additional skulls, and a distinctive necklace composed of forty-two drilled teeth from large mammals or humans.
  • Scientists plan to use radiocarbon dating and genetic analysis to determine the species origin of the teeth and investigate whether the extra skulls resulted from intentional decapitation.

Archaeologists working in southern Poland have uncovered a significant Middle Neolithic burial site that predates the primary focus of their excavation by several millennia. The discovery occurred near Żórawina, an area known for a Roman-era cemetery dating to the fourth or fifth century C.E. As researchers led by Tomasz Gralak of the University of Wrocław and Paweł Dąbrowski of Wrocław Medical University prepared to conclude their summer work on the later graves, they identified the circular outline of an ancient barrow beneath the surface.

Upon digging into this older mound, the team revealed a tightly fitted row of single-peaked teeth. Each tooth had been drilled through the root, indicating they were once strung together on a cord or rope that has since decayed. Dąbrowski noted that the arrangement clearly demonstrated human craftsmanship rather than accidental placement. The necklace consists of forty-two sharp teeth, making it a unique find in the region's archaeological record.

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The burial dates to approximately 2900 B.C.E., placing it firmly within Poland’s Middle Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age. This timeline is significantly earlier than the Bronze Age tooth necklace found in Wojkowice, which contained only four teeth. The style of a greenish serpentinite ax found in the grave, which showed signs of chipping from use, helped researchers establish this early date. The site may be linked to the Corded Ware culture, named for the twisted-rope impressions characteristic of its pottery.

Alongside the dental ornament, the grave contained a nearly complete adult male skeleton and fragments of two separate adult skulls. Other artifacts included amber beads that likely served as jewelry, a flint cutting tool, and the aforementioned stone ax. The presence of these items suggests the individual buried there held a position of importance within his community. Gralak indicated that Stone Age burial mounds typically belonged to patriarchs or clan leaders.

The function of the tooth necklace remains a subject of interpretation. It may have served as a collection of hunting trophies, signaling the wearer's prowess and status. Alternatively, it could have been a gift bestowed upon a leader. The teeth appear to originate from large mammals such as wolves, deer, or young bears, though human origin has not been ruled out. Dąbrowski emphasized that the deliberate drilling and arrangement confirm the item was an intentional ornament.

Further analysis is required to clarify many details about the burial. Researchers plan to employ radiocarbon dating to refine the skeleton's exact age. They will also analyze genetic material from the skulls and teeth to determine the species of the tooth donors and the gender of the individuals represented by the extra skull fragments. Isotope analysis of carbon, nitrogen, and strontium levels in the enamel will help reconstruct the diets of the tooth owners.

A key question for the team is whether the two additional skulls belonged to people who were intentionally decapitated. This practice has been observed in other archaeological contexts and could indicate specific ritualistic behaviors or social hierarchies. The genetic data may provide clarity on the relationship between the primary skeleton and the other remains found within the mound.

The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence regarding high-status funerary sites from this era. In the nearby village of Iwiny, researchers working around the same time unearthed another significant burial filled with beads, axes, and flint tools. That site contained the bones of a calf, which may have been a graveside sacrifice. Both burials could represent distinct funeral rites associated with the Corded Ware culture prevalent across Europe in the third millennium B.C.E.

These findings highlight the complexity of social structures and ritual practices in Neolithic Poland. The combination of valuable materials like amber and serpentinite, along with the unique dental necklace, points to a society with established hierarchies and specialized craftsmanship. As analysis continues, the site near Żórawina promises to offer deeper insights into the lives and beliefs of people who lived five thousand years ago.

The contrast between the Roman-era cemetery above and the Neolithic barrow below underscores the long history of human activity in this region. While the later graves were the initial target of the excavation, the unexpected discovery of the older mound has shifted focus to understanding these earlier inhabitants. The meticulous work required to extract and analyze such fragile organic materials will take time, but the potential for new historical insights is substantial.

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