Did This 12,000-Year-Old Woman Hold Mystical Powers in Ancient Türkiye?
A team of archaeologists in Türkiye has identified a woman, buried approximately 12,000 years ago in the neolithic settlement of Çemka Höyük, as a possible shaman. Their study, published in the journal L’Anthropologie, explores the woman’s burial and the animals found around her, suggesting her significant role in the pre-pottery neolithic village.
In 2019, researchers discovered the remains of this woman, who lived during a time when the inhabitants were transitioning from hunter-gatherers to establishing small settlements. She was estimated to be between 25 and 30 years old at the time of her death.
The woman was buried under the floor of a mud-constructed building, a common practice of that era. However, unlike other remains from the same period, she was buried with a variety of wild animals. Notably, her body was covered by a large block of limestone.
The study revealed that the animals were placed carefully around her. For instance, the skull of an aurochs was positioned just above her body, with its jaw separated and placed at her feet. Other bones included those from a partridge’s wings, a marten’s legs, and scattered sheep or goat bones.
The unique inclusion of animals in her burial suggests that she might have held a special status, possibly as a shaman. Shamans in various cultures are often believed to have a special connection with spirits, particularly those with malevolent intents, and a close relationship with animals and the spirits they may embody.
Source: Did This 12,000-Year-Old Woman Hold Mystical Powers in Ancient Türkiye?
Something’s Been Making This Incredible Pattern For 500 Million Years And We Have No Idea What
Something’s Been Making This Incredible Pattern For 500 Million Years And We Have No Idea What
From the sandstone cliffs of continental Europe to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, something has been leaving its dazzlingly geometric mark since the dawn of complex life. Despite finding thousands of these perfect honeycomb-shaped fossils, however, scientists are completely baffled as to what type of creature could possibly have been producing the patterns for such an unimaginably long time.