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6,500-Year-Old Infant Burials Unearthed
5 Feb
Summary
- Two prehistoric foetuses, dating back 6,500 years, were found in Iran.
- The foetuses were buried in ceramic vessels used for domestic activities.
- Burial treatments varied, with one receiving grave goods and the other not.
Archaeologists have unearthed two rare prehistoric foetal burials in Chaparabad, Iran, with an estimated age of 6,500 years. These infants, identified as specimens L522.1 and L815.1, were discovered within the mid-5th millennium BC period. They were found in ceramic vessels associated with the Dalma culture, with evidence suggesting prior domestic use.
The burial vessel for specimen L522.1 showed smoke staining, indicating it was previously used as a cooking pot. This foetus, preserved at approximately 90% of its bones, was found alongside grave goods, including animal remains and a worked stone. Specimen L815.1, found less than three meters away, was buried without grave goods.
Experts suggest the burials occurred when both the Dalma and Pisdeli cultures were active in the region. The foetuses are believed to have died between 36 and 38 weeks of gestational age, with no signs of trauma except for a potential post-burial skull fracture on L522.1. The study highlights variability in infant burial practices during the Chalcolithic period.
