An archaeological study at the site of southwestern France has revealed ancient practices of sacrifice that may go back more than 5,500 years.
An analysis of the skeletons discovered at this site showed that two women found tied up and possibly buried together alive in a sacrifice ritual, involving a person’s throat being tied to his ankles and eventually strangling himself.
Although it may sound strange, according to researchers, the practice was common in several regions of Europe during the Neolithic period.
The study sparked great interest, as the research revealed 20 other possible cases of similar practices at other archaeological sites across Europe.
Although the study suggests a significant number of possible cases, the researchers suggest that the actual number may be higher, but there is not enough information about skeletons at other archaeological sites to draw conclusive conclusions.
In his remarks, Eric Crobizi, a bioanthropologist at the Paul Sabatire University of Toulouse, confirmed the practice discovered “very special because it is cruel.”
Although the women cannot be proven to have died in the tomb itself, their position stacked on top of each other, intertwined with fragments of grinding stones, indicates that they were placed there by force and deliberately.
It is also interesting that the study indicated that there were cases similar to those women at other archaeological sites in Europe, where men, children and women sacrificed in this way were found.
The researchers plan to analyze the family relationship between the three women in the town of Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateau and investigate unusual death rituals observed in other tombs around the site.
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