Study unearths practice of women sacrifices across Europe during Stone Age
stone age tomb
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ancient Stone Age rituals. The analysis of bones discovered in a tomb in France's Rhone Valley uncovers evidence of ritualistic killings reaching back over 2,000 years. These findings, which were published in Science Advances on April 10, give insight into our predecessors' activities.
The tomb, located in Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux in Avignon in southern France, was discovered more than two decades ago. The tomb, which resembled the structure of a grain silo, held the bones of three women who were interred around 5,500 years ago.
What is incaprettamento?
What distinguishes this find is the women's sad fate. According to analysis, they were buried alive, demonstrating thetraditions of the time. The skeletons were discovered with their necks connected to their legs behind their backs, a kind of self-strangulation known as incaprettamento.
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
US-Iran War: Trump ready to bomb Tehran, deploys B-1 bomber, envoys flee city
)
Union minister Ravneet Bittu resigns from cabinet; President Murmu accepts resignation
)
India to test fire three Kusha long-range surface-to-air missiles | Gravitas
)
Prakash Raj, Vir Das and other celebrities react as Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister
)
Delhi NEET protests: How Bluetooth mesh apps kept communication alive without internet
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
He predicted COVID-19 and 2008 economic crisis, was labeled fearmonger. Now he has another dire warning
)
IND vs ZIM, 2nd T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Jennifer Winget and William Ishmael's dreamy UK intimate wedding: See inside photos
)
President Donald Trump jokes about Nicki Minaj twerking at WHCA dinner; video goes viral
)
‘Want answer in yes or no’: CJP demands clarity on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation ahead of talks with govt
)
Why more than 75,000 people watched a record Qantas flight on Flightradar24 Friday?
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
US-Iran war | Trump: Iran is taking negotiations more seriously than before
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Russia unleashes 28000 tonne nuclear giant ship
)
Accidental overdose: UK inquest rules out foul play in Saudi Prince’s London death
)
Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee stays blocked after appeals court ruling. All you need to know
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
‘World needs someone to make it bow’: Abhijeet Dipke’s first reaction after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 fires its missiles straight up into the air
)
Google ends Play Services Support, likely to stop these Android phones from downloading apps & games
)
US says Turkey still barred from F-35 program until it gives up Russian S-400 system: Report
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 3: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid protests over NEET paper leak
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
)
'Shame on a country that...': Sonam Wangchuk slams haters, rejects 'deal' claims after ending 26 day fast | WATCH
)
‘Stole the show’: Young man’s uncanny imitation of Trump leaves internet stunned | WATCH
)
'Direct democracy, straight from streets': Sonam Wangchuk hails Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Russia activates nuclear beast Admiral Nakhimov amid war
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the specialized paint on an S-400 costs thousands of dollars per truck
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters with most sixes in India vs Zimbabwe T20s, check who tops the list
Eric Crubrezy, a biological anthropologist at Paul Sabatier University, suggests a relationship between these ceremonies and agriculture. "You have the alignment, you have the silo, you have the broken stones - so it seems that it was a rite related to agriculture," he added. Similar tombs around Europe, spanning from 5,400 to 3,500 BC, suggest a widespread practice.
When did this practice begin?
According to Crubrezy's team, incaprettamento most likely began as a sacrificial tradition in the Mesolithic period before evolving into human sacrifices related to agriculture in the Neolithic. Penny Bickle, an archaeologist at the University of York, supports this theory, citing a link between fertility rituals and human sacrifice.
Also read:Archaeologists find well-preserved fresco paintings replete with Trojan War characters in Pompeii
Why is this research important?
This finding provides insight into our ancient predecessors' religious and cultural practices. While disturbing to us now, it highlights the intricacies of early cultures and the important role rituals played in their lives.
