Ancient remains found in France suggest gruesome ancient rituals
Discoveries from an archaeological site in southwest France shed light on a chilling ancient practice where two women, over 5,500 years ago, were bound and potentially buried alive in a ritualistic sacrifice. The methods used eerily echo modern-day Mafia-style killings, offering a glimpse into the dark rituals of the past.
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Over 5,500 years ago, a shocking discovery was made at an archaeological site in southwest France. Two women were found tied up and likely buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, a method of torture that is still associated with the Italian Mafia today.
Researchers examined the positioning of three female skeletons discovered in 1985 in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux. They determined that two of the women likely perished from a cruel method called "incaprettamento." This practice involves binding a person's neck and ankles in a way that leads to self-strangulation due to the legs' position.
The site was originally excavated in 1985.
The site was originally excavated in 1985.
Alain Beeching
The researchers examined skeletons discovered at various archaeological sites in Europe and identified 20 other likely cases of similar sacrificial killings. According to a recent study published in the journal Science Advances, this practice may have been quite common in Neolithic Europe.
One of the lead authors of the study, Éric Crubézy, a biological anthropologist at Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse, mentioned that the third woman found at the site was buried in a typical position, and the cause of her death remains unknown. However, it is clear that all three women were buried together.
Dagmara Socha
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The women's burial place was positioned in a way that faced the sunrise during the summer solstice and the sunset during the winter solstice. This led the researchers to suggest that this site may have been a gathering place for people to celebrate the changing of the seasons, possibly involving human sacrifices.
Crubézy pointed out the common belief found in various cultures that the death of a person is linked to the growth of crops. He mentioned the Inca tradition of human sacrifice in South America as an example of this belief.
Crubézy was involved in the initial excavation of the site in 1985. However, it was during the pause brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic that he and his team began to explore additional cases of similar sacrifices.
After examining previous studies, researchers identified 20 more likely instances of individuals being sacrificed in a similar manner over a span of 2,000 years during the Neolithic era. The research suggested that the actual number could be higher, but the lack of sufficient data on skeletons from other archaeological sites made it challenging to reach definitive conclusions.
"In different parts of Europe, the sacrifice was similar," according to Crubezy. He mentioned that this sacrifice is unique because it is a cruel one, without any bloodshed or people killing each other - instead, the individuals took their own lives.
While it cannot be proven with certainty that the women found in the grave at Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux died in that exact spot, the way they were positioned "stacked atop each other and entwined with fragments of grindstones" strongly suggests that they were placed there intentionally. This indicates that it is likely their demise occurred within the grave itself, as mentioned in the study.
The three skeletons were buried in a grave built in the style of a silo, where grain is typically stored, inside a wooden structure and surrounded by a trench.
The three skeletons were buried in a grave built in the style of a silo, where grain is typically stored, inside a wooden structure and surrounded by a trench.
According to co-author Ameline Alcouffe, a doctoral student at Paul Sabatier University, the study can confidently determine that the three individuals were women with a 95% certainty. This was based on precise measurements of different characteristics of the pelvic bone.
At other sites in Europe, the study found that men and children were also sacrificed, along with women.
In the future, Crubézy and the researchers plan to study the familial connection between the three women in Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux and explore different death rituals seen in nearby graves.
Editor's P/S:
The article uncovers the chilling practice of ritual sacrifice in Neolithic Europe, providing a glimpse into a dark chapter of human history. The discovery of three female skeletons bound and buried alive at a site in France raises questions about the cruel methods employed in these rituals. The researchers' identification of 20 other likely cases of such sacrifices suggests that this practice was more widespread than previously thought.
The study also sheds light on the cultural beliefs surrounding these sacrifices, with some researchers suggesting a link between human sacrifice and the growth of crops. The positioning of the grave facing the sunrise and sunset during solstices further hints at the ritualistic nature of these killings. The research highlights the complex and often brutal practices that have shaped human societies throughout history, reminding us of the importance of compassion and understanding in our present-day world.
