The discovery of the graves of 77 people; The mystery of the massacre of children in the Iron Age

According to Live Science; New paleontological analysis of a mass grave at the ancient site of Gomolava, in northern Serbia, has revealed shocking dimensions of organized violence in Early Iron Age Europe. Archaeologists found the remains of 77 people in this grave, which dates back to the 9th century BC, which is an exceptional combination in European prehistory. Because the absolute majority of the victims were women and children, and more than 70% of the skeletons belonged to women and about 69% belonged to children. According to the results of this study, which was published in the journal “Nature Human Behavior”, bone pathology patterns show that these people died due to severe, intentional and fatal blows to the head.

Bioarchaeological studies show that the attackers probably used heavy and blunt weapons for killing, and according to the angle of the shots, it is possible that the attackers were on horseback or were much taller than the victims. Researchers have described this type of violence as “brutal, conscious and efficient”. DNA analysis and investigation of strontium isotope ratios in the tooth enamel of the victims revealed another fact: these people were not necessarily members of a single clan, and more than a third of them had migrated to this point from areas outside of the Gomulava area.

In the 9th century BC, the Carpathian Basin witnessed extensive population movements and tension between nomadic and semi-sedentary groups. According to scientists, this population explosion led to the formation of ideological conflicts over the ownership of land and resources, which resulted in forced displacement, kidnapping of people, and finally mass killings. The presence of ritual objects such as ceramic vessels and the remains of animal sacrifices in this grave indicate that this burial was not just an emergency burial, but was done with the aim of creating a monument to consolidate power and eliminate rival lineages. This discovery testifies to the use of mass violence to reshape power structures in prehistoric Europe.

The cover photo is a reconstructed painting from a funeral ceremony in Gomolava, Serbia.