Finnish archaeologists have just announced that an 8,000-year-old grave contains the tooth of a child. The child was buried with bird and wolf feathers, revealing surprising burial customs.
In 1991, experts discovered an archaeological site at Majoonsuo, near the town of Outokumpu in eastern Finland. They then found a grave about 8,000 years old. The child’s body was almost completely decomposed, except for teeth, 2 arrowheads made of quartz, and bird and wolf feathers.
Recently, archaeologists from the Finnish Heritage Agency in Helsinki announced the results of their research on the ancient tomb. They determined that the child died when he was between 3 and 10 years old.
After carefully analyzing soil samples taken from the ancient tomb, the team of experts discovered feathers from a waterfowl. They speculated that it could have been used to make a bed for the child during burial.
Additionally, experts also found an eagle feather that could have been used to guide arrows or to decorate clothing.
At the bottom of the tomb, experts found 24 patches of mammalian hair. Although many of the hairs were damaged from being in the tomb for about 8,000 years, researchers pointed out that some of the hairs belonged to canids, possibly wolves. These hairs were placed on the child’s feet.
In addition, experts speculate that the dog hair found in the ancient tomb could also have come from clothing or shoes sewn from wolf skin. The fact that Stone Age people were buried with animals is not the only discovery.
“A grave of about 7,000 years old containing human remains buried with dogs was once found in Skateholm,” said Kristiina Mannermaa, associate professor at the Department of Cultural Affairs at the University of Helsinki.
According to Associate Professor Mannermaa, the discovery of an approximately 8,000-year-old tomb in Majoonsuo is remarkable even though experts only found some animal hair.
Not only that, when examining the ancient Stone Age tomb above, archaeologists also excavated plant fibers. They speculated that this sample could come from willow or nettle. Ancient people used this type of plant to weave clothes or fishing nets.
Because the soil in this area of Finland is highly acidic, the team of experts were surprised that some organic remains could still be found today after being buried in an ancient tomb for about 8,000 years.