Archaeologists Discover 11,000-Year-Old Human Remains Adorned with 100 Ornaments in Turkey
Turkish archaeologists recently discovered ancient human bones that are around 11,000 years old while digging in the south of the country. This remarkable find helps us understand the rituals and beliefs of these ancient people.
At the Boncuklu Tarla site in Southeastern Turkey, archaeologists made a significant discovery of human remains dating back approximately 11,000 years. Among the findings were decorated skeletons adorned with over 100 ornaments, along with other buried items. These ornaments were crafted from various materials including limestone, obsidian, chlorite, copper, and river pebbles. Remarkably, the ornaments were positioned near the chins and ears of the buried individuals, with about 85 of them found to be in good condition.
One striking aspect of this discovery is the intentional way the ornaments were attached through piercings. It’s noted that only adults were found with these ornaments, suggesting a ritual associated with maturity or transition. The ornaments varied in size, indicating they were worn in both the ears and lower lip. The presence of tear marks in the lower lip area suggests the use of labrets, a type of piercing worn on the lower lip.
Further examination of the skeletons unveiled signs of wear on the lower incisors, which align with evidence of labret-wearing seen in other cultures. This finding strengthens the theory that these objects were used for body modification involving the piercing of bodily tissues.
Dr Emma Louise Baysal, an Associate Professor of Prehistory at Ankara University, said, “We think these are the earliest examples yet recorded in their original context on the skeletons of the people who used them.” Baysal suggested that the presence of these ornaments might be linked to the individuals’ ages, possibly signifying maturity or adulthood, or even indicating their social status. This speculation arises from the fact that the ornaments were found exclusively on the remains of adult women and men, not children.
Baysal further explained that when individuals choose to wear piercings, it’s not solely for personal reasons, but rather to project a specific image to others. This tendency to seek external validation through appearance is a trait that remains recognizable in people today. She suggested that by understanding this aspect, we can empathise with these ancient people, realising that in many ways, they were not so different from us.
The significance of this discovery lies in its portrayal of the earliest evidence of body piercing in southwest Asia. While similar objects resembling body piercing ornaments have been found in the region before, this marks the first clear evidence of their use as piercings. Additionally, the researchers made an intriguing observation about the burials: both male and female remains showed evidence of piercings, while no piercings were found in child burials. This suggests that the piercings held more than just aesthetic value; they likely carried social significance, potentially indicating maturity or status.
The implications of this discovery are profound. It offers fresh insights into how people in the Neolithic period expressed their identities through personal appearance. The researchers believe that this finding will prompt a reassessment of numerous artefacts from the Neolithic period across western Asia and eastern Europe.
