The tomb consists of remains from at least twelve people, and ongoing DNA research study seeks to decipher their familial and health histories.The very first analysis results now verify that the tomb in Tiarp is one of the earliest stone burial chambers in Sweden. The researchers likewise noted that some parts of the people buried in the tomb are missing out on, such as skulls and thigh bones, posing interesting questions for archaeologists.Last summertime, archaeologists from Gothenburg University and Kiel University excavated a dolmen, a stone burial chamber, in Tiarp near Falköping in Sweden. Credit: Cecilia SjöbergNow that the scientists have examined the material from the tomb, they have actually found that it contains bones from hands and feet, pieces of rib bones, and teeth. There are more than 250 passage graves here, big graves built of blocks of stone. Its about 200 to 150 years older than the passage graves, making it one of the earliest stone burial chambers in Sweden and across the whole of Scandinavia,” states Karl-Göran Sjögren.There is another thing that makes the grave special.
The historical excavation in Tiarp in the summer season of 2023 was brought out jointly by Gothenburg and Kiel Universities. From left: Julia Dietrich, Ann-Katrin Klein, Malou Blank and Karl-Göran Sjögren. Credit: Cecilia SjöbergArchaeologists in Sweden have revealed a grave in Tiarp, dating back to 3500 BCE, significant for missing skulls and big bones. The tomb contains stays from a minimum of twelve people, and continuous DNA research study seeks to unwind their familial and health histories.The first analysis results now confirm that the tomb in Tiarp is among the earliest stone burial chambers in Sweden. “Its an early tomb which dates to the Early Neolithic duration, about 3500 BCE,” states archaeologist Karl-Göran Sjögren. The researchers likewise kept in mind that some parts of individuals buried in the tomb are missing out on, such as skulls and thigh bones, positioning interesting questions for archaeologists.Last summer season, archaeologists from Gothenburg University and Kiel University excavated a dolmen, a stone burial chamber, in Tiarp near Falköping in Sweden. The archaeologists judge that the tomb has actually remained untouched since the Stone Age. The odd thing is that parts of the skeletons of the individuals buried are missing.Skulls and big bones are missing and may have been eliminated from the grave. We do not know whether that relates to burial routines or whats behind it,” states Karl-Göran Sjögren.Last summer season, archaeologists from Gothenburg University and Kiel University excavated a dolmen, a stone burial chamber, in Tiarp near Falköping in Sweden. Credit: Cecilia SjöbergNow that the researchers have taken a look at the material from the grave, they have actually discovered that it consists of bones from feet and hands, fragments of rib bones, and teeth. But skulls and larger bones such as thigh and arm bones are very couple of.” This varies from what we normally see in megalith graves, i.e. stone burial chambers from the Neolithic period,” Karl-Göran Sjögren discusses. “Usually, the bones that are missing out on are smaller bones from hands and feet.” Analysis of the RemainsTorbjörn Ahlström, Professor of Osteology at Lund University, studied the bone finds. His conclusion is that the bones originate from at least twelve individuals, consisting of infants and the senior. The archaeologists do not yet understand why they passed away.” We havent seen any injuries on the individuals buried so we do not think violence is included. We are continuing to study their DNA and that will show whether they had any illness,” states Karl-Göran Sjögren.The chamber under excavation. East side mold removed. The plastic tubes are samples for environmental DNA. Credit: Karl-Göran SjögrenFalköping has long been understood for its many passage graves dating from a somewhat later duration, roughly 3300 BCE. Agriculture reached Falbygden in about 4000 BCE, i.e. about 500 years before the tomb in Tiarp was constructed. In all likelihood, the individuals buried in the dolmen were farmers.” They lived by growing grain and keeping animals and they consumed dairy items,” says Karl-Göran Sjögren.Are individuals buried in the grave related?A variety of samples were taken at the excavation last summertime, including DNA from the skeletal remains.” The initial DNA results show that the DNA in the bones is well preserved. This means we will be able to reconstruct the household relationships in between the people in the grave and we are working on that now,” states Karl-Göran Sjögren.Falbygden is understood for its numerous traces of individuals from the Stone Age. There are more than 250 passage graves here, big tombs developed of blocks of stone.” But this dolmen is older. Its about 200 to 150 years older than the passage graves, making it among the oldest stone burial chambers in Sweden and across the whole of Scandinavia,” says Karl-Göran Sjögren.There is another thing that makes the grave distinct.” Its the way it is built. Theres a little specific niche at each end. This is special for graves in Falbygden,” says Karl-Göran Sjögren.Reference: “Tiarp Backgården. An Early Neolithic Dolmen in Falbygden, Sweden and Early Megalithic Tombs in South Scandinavia and Northern Central Europe” by Karl-Göran Sjögren, Malou Blank, Torbjörn Ahlström, Tony Axelsson, Stefan Dreibrodt and Johannes Müller, 22 December 2023, Journal of Neolithic Archaeology.DOI: 10.12766/ jna.2023.8.