Wednesday12 February 2025
glasno.com.ua

Researchers found evidence of a crime committed in Ukraine during the time of the Tripoli culture (photo).

In the Cherkasy region, the remains of seven individuals of varying ages were discovered. The bones of some of the deceased were charred in a fire, while the cause of death for the other two individuals is different.
Учёные нашли улики преступления, совершённого в Украине в эпоху трипольской культуры (фото).

The discovered human remains provide evidence of a tragedy that befell a group of people living in Ukrainian territories over five thousand years ago. This is highlighted in the latest findings from the archaeological site of a Tripolye settlement in the village of Kosenovka in Cherkasy region (approximately 3700-3600 BC), as published in the journal PLOS One.

Archaeologists unearthed the bones of a group of individuals. Remains of four individuals included skulls, limb bones, ribs, vertebrae, and pelvic bones. The remains were severely charred and found among construction debris.

The four individuals who lived during the Tripolye culture likely became victims of a fire. However, the remains of the other three individuals were not burned. Their bones were located in the peripheral area of the household or the front part of the house. The arrangement of these findings suggests significant damage to the skeletons or a deliberate selection of body parts for a burial ritual.

Трипольская культура, трипольцы, Косеновка, Черкасская область, останки, останки, кости, убийство, пожар, археология, археологи, раскопки, археологические находки, стоянка Косеновка, трипольское поселение

According to various estimates, the remains belong to two children of different ages, one young woman aged 18-20, one adult woman aged 25-40, and three individuals of varying ages (from 20 to 50, with two likely being men). The bones of the last three individuals are the ones that were not charred.

It is noted that the skeletal elements found inside the house were less scattered compared to those located at the periphery. Interestingly, two fragments of skull bone showed signs of damage typical of pre-mortem injury. The woman aged 25-40 suffered an injury to the upper left part of the occipital bone before her death. Experts believe this likely involved damage to the dura mater and brain tissue, which would have been fatal at that time.

Трипольская культура, трипольцы, Косеновка, Черкасская область, останки, останки, кости, убийство, пожар, археология, археологи, раскопки, археологические находки, стоянка Косеновка, трипольское поселение

No signs of healing were found by the researchers, indicating that the injured woman lived with the trauma for a maximum of a few weeks. However, they suggest that she may have actually died much earlier. The blunt force trauma to the occiput was likely delivered with enough speed to fracture the three-layered skull bone.

A fracture was also found on the frontal bone of one adult of undetermined age. The size and severity of the injury remain unknown, but there are also no signs of healing. Specialists speculated that the injury could have been fatal.

Трипольская культура, трипольцы, Косеновка, Черкасская область, останки, останки, кости, убийство, пожар, археология, археологи, раскопки, археологические находки, стоянка Косеновка, трипольское поселение

The article states that this is more likely an act of interpersonal violence rather than an accident. The adult woman was probably struck by an assailant when they were face to face. It is also evident that the attacker (or attackers) was right-handed.

In both cases, the injuries were inflicted with a blunt object. The weapon could have been Tripolye stone tools, particularly axes and daggers.

Recall that archaeologists discovered statues in Egypt depicting ancient rulers. These findings shed light on the history of Taposiris Magna and its connection to the Ptolemaic dynasty.

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