5,000-year-old pits discovered in Germany reveals haunting Neolithic secrets
At the Gerstewitz archaeological site in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, these sacrificial pits, which were more like treasure troves, held the remnants of houses, ceramic vessels, human and animal bones, and converted oven pits.
Archaeologists first discovered the Salzmünde Culture, a regional subset of the greater Funnel Beaker Cultures, in 1921. According to a new study published in Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt – Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte, the burial ritual of these prehistoric people was 'particularly striking.'
Their sacrificial rituals were no less remarkable. Researchers report that the pits they uncovered reflect people in crisis, due to climate change and threats from the north.
The Salzmünde Culture needed help
In anticipation of constructing a new SuedOstLink powerline, archaeologists investigated the area to ensure nothing of historical or cultural value was buried beneath the surface. Substantial and significant cultural material surfaced that illuminated a prehistoric society grappling with instability.
Twelve sacrificial pits contained the remains of burnt houses and offerings, though the dog bones and human skulls stood out to archaeologists. They measured about 6.4 to 9.8 feet wide by 6.5 to 8.2 feet deep, according to Popsci. With the inclusion of two unbroken ceramic vessels, archaeologists believe that they were offerings.
Study authors continued that the Salzmünde placed weathered dog bones, showing traces of fire, next to a human skull. It did not show any signs of weathering, thereby communicating to archaeologists that these pits remained open for an extensive ceremony, or the dog bones were kept elsewhere for an extended period of time. But the bodies of two people that they found appeared to have been moved to this location later.
'This case, too, suggests complex, multi-stage rituals,' study authors wrote.
Why did the Salzmünde Culture set up these elaborate rituals? Based on a broader viewpoint, archaeologists suspect that they performed these rituals 'in high frequency and with…intensity.'
As per LBV, they appeared to create ritual performance spaces where animal sacrifice met a burning of houses, along with the manipulation of corpses. It seemed to be a rite that took place over time.
Sources indicate that Central Europe experienced a deterioration of climate in the 4th millennium BC. Archaeology News continued that the Bernburg Culture was also encroaching upon their territory. So, these larger threats might have propelled the Salzmünde Culture to take drastic measures and cry out for help.
Who are the Salzmünde?
The Salzmünde culture, a regional branch of the Funnel Beaker groups that spread along the middle and lower course of the Saale River, was already known for its peculiar funerary practices.
At the eponymous site of Salzmünde, discovered in 1921, burials were found beneath layers of broken pottery and remains of burned houses, along with numerous cases of interpersonal violence and post-mortem manipulations, such as the relocation of skulls and long bones.
These reflect a people reaching to their ancestors or a higher idea for support through trials and tribulations.
Read the study in Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt – Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte.
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5,000-year-old pits discovered in Germany reveals haunting Neolithic secrets
Archaeologists in Germany made a stunning discovery of numerous ritual pits that belonged to the Salzmünde culture, revealing a prehistoric society that struggled with internal and external changes. At the Gerstewitz archaeological site in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, these sacrificial pits, which were more like treasure troves, held the remnants of houses, ceramic vessels, human and animal bones, and converted oven pits. Archaeologists first discovered the Salzmünde Culture, a regional subset of the greater Funnel Beaker Cultures, in 1921. According to a new study published in Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt – Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte, the burial ritual of these prehistoric people was 'particularly striking.' Their sacrificial rituals were no less remarkable. Researchers report that the pits they uncovered reflect people in crisis, due to climate change and threats from the north. The Salzmünde Culture needed help In anticipation of constructing a new SuedOstLink powerline, archaeologists investigated the area to ensure nothing of historical or cultural value was buried beneath the surface. Substantial and significant cultural material surfaced that illuminated a prehistoric society grappling with instability. Twelve sacrificial pits contained the remains of burnt houses and offerings, though the dog bones and human skulls stood out to archaeologists. They measured about 6.4 to 9.8 feet wide by 6.5 to 8.2 feet deep, according to Popsci. With the inclusion of two unbroken ceramic vessels, archaeologists believe that they were offerings. Study authors continued that the Salzmünde placed weathered dog bones, showing traces of fire, next to a human skull. It did not show any signs of weathering, thereby communicating to archaeologists that these pits remained open for an extensive ceremony, or the dog bones were kept elsewhere for an extended period of time. But the bodies of two people that they found appeared to have been moved to this location later. 'This case, too, suggests complex, multi-stage rituals,' study authors wrote. Why did the Salzmünde Culture set up these elaborate rituals? Based on a broader viewpoint, archaeologists suspect that they performed these rituals 'in high frequency and with…intensity.' As per LBV, they appeared to create ritual performance spaces where animal sacrifice met a burning of houses, along with the manipulation of corpses. It seemed to be a rite that took place over time. Sources indicate that Central Europe experienced a deterioration of climate in the 4th millennium BC. Archaeology News continued that the Bernburg Culture was also encroaching upon their territory. So, these larger threats might have propelled the Salzmünde Culture to take drastic measures and cry out for help. Who are the Salzmünde? The Salzmünde culture, a regional branch of the Funnel Beaker groups that spread along the middle and lower course of the Saale River, was already known for its peculiar funerary practices. At the eponymous site of Salzmünde, discovered in 1921, burials were found beneath layers of broken pottery and remains of burned houses, along with numerous cases of interpersonal violence and post-mortem manipulations, such as the relocation of skulls and long bones. These reflect a people reaching to their ancestors or a higher idea for support through trials and tribulations. Read the study in Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt – Landesmuseum für Vorgeschichte. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
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B.C. climate news: Crews battle 147 wildfires in B.C. Trump cancels plans for offshore wind projects
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In 2024, it breached the 1.5 C threshold at 1.55 C. • The past 10 years (2015-2024) are the 10 warmest on record. • Human activities have raised atmospheric concentrations of CO2 by nearly 49 per cent above pre-industrial levels starting in 1850. • The world is not on track to meet the Paris Agreement target to keep global temperature from exceeding 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, the upper limit to avoid the worst fallout from climate change including sea level rise, and more intense drought, heat waves and wildfires. • On the current path of carbon dioxide emissions, the temperature could increase by as much 3.6 C this century, according to the IPCC. • In June 2025, global concentrations of carbon dioxide exceeded 430 parts per million, a record high. • Emissions must drop 7.6 per cent per year from 2020 to 2030 to keep temperatures from exceeding 1.5 C and 2.7 per cent per year to stay below 2 C. • There is global scientific consensus that the climate is warming and that humans are the cause. (Sources: United Nations IPCC, World Meteorological Organization, UNEP, NASA, Latest News Number of active wildfires in B.C. jumps to 147 Firefighters in B.C. are gearing up for a busy long weekend, as the number of active wildfires jumped to 120 Friday, up from 90 on Thursday. Much of the province is parched from continuing hot and dry conditions. Although heat warnings have been lifted for parts of the B.C. Interior such as the Okanagan and Fraser Canyon, temperatures are still expected to be in the low-to-mid 30s, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Heat warnings remained in effect Friday for Fort Nelson, and the North and South Peace regions. Lytton is under an air quality alert because of the wildfire smoke. Meantime, The wildfire near Peachland that forced hundreds of residents to quickly evacuated their homes just days ago is no longer out of control and the evacuation order has been lifted for all residents. 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New York Post
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Wild tattoos of 2,500-year-old Siberian ‘ice mummy' revealed for first time
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