Neolithic burial found in Bavaria

A Neolithic skeleton with twisted legs was discovered in Großköllnbach, Lower Bavaria, sparking new discussions about burial practices from around 5000 BCE. The remains, belonging to an adolescent, were found in a position that differs from the typical burials of the Linearbandkeramik culture.

Burial position deviates from the norm

The individual was found in a position that contrasts with the usual Linearbandkeramik burials, which typically placed the deceased on their side with legs bent against the torso. The cervical vertebrae show a deformation that has not yet been explained by archaeologists.

Archaeological discovery during construction

The skeleton was uncovered by the archaeological service of Dingolfing-Landau during excavations on the future Steigäcker IV development site. A color anomaly in the soil guided the team to the discovery.

Linearbandkeramik culture and its practices

The Linearbandkeramik culture, emerging in the 6th millennium BCE, was associated with the rise of agriculture in Central Europe. Communities of this culture cultivated starch plants and grains, raised cattle and pigs, and built large wooden longhouses.

Few burials from this period in Bavaria

There are fewer than a dozen burials from this period throughout Bavaria, making the Großköllnbach discovery particularly significant for understanding the culture's practices.

Archaeologist notes unusual burial

Florian Eibl, an archaeologist, noted that the burial at Großköllnbach clearly breaks with the norm of the Linearbandkeramik culture. In May 2024, Eibl uncovered a 6,800-year-old skeleton at Eichendorf, a few kilometers away.

Speculation about the posture

The unusual posture of the Großköllnbach skeleton has led to speculation about whether it was an intentional gesture or a result of a slide in a sloped grave, though archaeologists have not yet reached a conclusion.