Archaeologists Uncover Elite Warrior’s Grave in Ancient Burial Ground and Farming Settlement
A stunning archaeological find reveals a Celtic warrior’s grave, medieval Slavic burials, and a 5,000-year-old farming village. 🌐 #News #Lifestyle #History #Archaeology
ST. PAUL, MN – A remarkable archaeological discovery has been made in the Czech Republic, where archaeologists uncovered an ancient Celtic burial ground along with an early farming settlement. These findings, including an elite warrior’s grave, offer unique insights into the lives of ancient communities in the Olomouc Region.
Celtic Burial Ground Unveils Rich History
Researchers from the Archaeological Center of Olomouc made the discovery during rescue excavations in the Přerov District, situated in the eastern part of the country. The site reveals an extensive Celtic burial ground believed to date back to the 3rd or 2nd century B.C. The discovery, which includes 33 cremation graves, is one of the largest of its kind in the region.
“This is an exceptional find, as Celtic graves from other sites are usually skeletal and occur in lower numbers. Here we managed to uncover several dozen cremation graves, which is truly unique,” said lead archaeologist Marek Kalábek in a statement.
The burial ground stands out not only for its size but also for the valuable items found in one grave, which seems to belong to an elite warrior. The grave contained a sword in a leather scabbard, a belt, and an iron spear—items indicating the individual was likely a prominent figure in the community.
Insights into Community Life Through Modest Graves
While the warrior’s grave is the most striking find, the majority of the graves uncovered are more modest. These simple cremation graves, characterized by sunken pits in circular or rectangular shapes, contain small fragments of metal and ceramics, offering a glimpse into the lives of the less affluent members of the ancient Celtic community.
Kalábek emphasized the significance of these modest graves, stating, “Thanks to these findings, we are getting unique information about those whose existence we have so far little evidence for.” The cremation practices of the Celts, which preserved only small skeletal fragments, suggest the high level of care with which these individuals were laid to rest.
Discoveries of Medieval Slavic Graves and Early Farming Tools
In addition to the Celtic burial ground, the team uncovered medieval Slavic graves dating from the 9th and 10th centuries. These graves, linked to the Great Moravian Empire, reflect the early Slavic culture of central Europe. The burial style, which included placing bodies with the head facing west and limbs stretched out, mirrors Christian burial customs of the time.
Among the items found in these graves were small jewelry pieces, iron knives, ceramic vessels, and flint fire-making tools. Kalábek remarked, “They were probably farmers who were not very rich, which is evidenced by the modest equipment, for example, a small bronze earring that we found with one of the skulls.”
A particularly rare find among the Slavic graves was a well-preserved wooden bier, discovered in a woman’s grave. This platform, used for supporting a coffin or corpse during funerary rites, is exceptional because wood typically does not survive in the region’s burial conditions. Anthropologist Lukáš Šín highlighted the rarity of the object, noting, “This is an extraordinary well-preserved object considering that wood is not usually preserved in our conditions.”
Early Farming Settlement Offers Glimpse into Prehistoric Life
Beyond the burial grounds, archaeologists also uncovered traces of an early farming settlement, dating back to around 5000 B.C. This Neolithic site provides important clues about the early farming communities that once thrived in the region. The team found remains of long houses, storage pits, and furnaces, as well as numerous artifacts, including ceramics, chipped flint tools, ground axes, and stone mills used for grain crushing.
Kalábek remarked, “The found artifacts help us better understand the everyday life of prehistoric society.” These discoveries offer valuable insight into the routines of ancient farmers and the technological advancements they made to support their way of life.
RELATED TOPICS: Ancient History | Czechia
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