Ancient Cemetery in Hungary Reveals Mysterious Elongated Skulls—Could They Unlock Secrets Behind Rome’s Collapse?
According to IFL Science, the ancient cemetery is now officially home to the largest number of purposefully elongated skulls in all of Central Europe. Published in the PLOS ONE journal, the findings indicated the bones spanned across three generations, and comprised three distinct groups.
Led by Corina Knipper from the Curt-Engelhorn-Center for Archaeometry in Germany, the joint effort by her peers and researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary has contributed remarkable data. The skulls, believed to have been shaped by bandage wrappings, offered more than just awe.
According to Phys, the purposeful elongation and three distinct generations have given historians invaluable insight into this unique community during the early stages of Europe’s Migration Period. It also provided historians with context surrounding the turmoil triggered by the Fall of the Roman Empire.
PLOS ONE/Corina Knipper Et al.The archaeology team assessed there were three distinct groups buried at the site. This grave belonged to the founder group, as evident by the Roman-style bricks lining the hole.
The Romans abandoned their provinces in Pannonia (or modern-day Western Hungary) when the Huns invaded during the 5th century. With new foreign groups arriving to seek protection on a regular basis, a substantial period of cultural transformation took hold.
As Rome crumbled, centuries of conflict with their barbarian neighbors ensued. Countless rebellions, assassinations, and infectious diseases plagued the land. Fortunately for Knipper and her team, the Mözs-Icsei-dülö cemetery findings offer incredible clarity on the changes that occurred at that time.
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