Two Burial Sites from Early Bronze Age Cultures Uncovered in Moravia

Archaeologists have discovered two major burial sites near Olomouc, Central Moravia, in the Czech Republic, during a rescue excavation along the future route of the D35 highway between Křelov and Neředín. One of these sites is the largest burial site linked to the Nitra culture from the Early Bronze Age, dating back to approximately 2100 and 1800 BC. This is now regarded as one of the most important discoveries in the study of the Nitra culture, with a total of 130 graves having been identified.

Gendered Differences in Burial and a Multitude of Burial Goods

The graves revealed a variety of votive goods: copper ornaments, bone beads, stone arrowheads, a copper ring, and bone awls. Some of the graves also showed signs of post-mortem manipulation, indicating that transitional burial rituals may have been performed even after death.

“Thanks to laboratory analyses, we can reconstruct the physical appearance of the inhabitants of that time, their health status, dietary habits, genetic relationships, and migration strategies,” explained lead researcher Vendula Vránová in a press release from the Olomouc Archaeological Centre (ACO).

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The burial practices at the Czech Republic site demonstrate distinct gender-based differences, with respect to how men and women were buried. Men were buried with boar tusks and hunting tools, while women were entombed alongside jewelry and antler beads. Clearly, gender-roles played an important role in Nitra society.

The site has also yielded graves associated with the Corded Ware culture (3,000-2,350 BC), which coexisted with the Nitra culture for a time. The Corded Ware culture was a widespread prehistoric European culture known for its distinctive pottery decorated with cord-like impressions. Their range spanned across much of Northern and Central Europe, and was often associated with early Indo-European migrations.

Unwritten Codes: Mutual Respect Between Cultures

Surprisingly, the Nitra and Corded Ware graves remain undisturbed by each other: perhaps there was an unwritten mutual respect between the two cultures. The older graves were likely marked by burial mounds, indicating that the Corded Ware culture acknowledged and respected the burial traditions of their Nitra predecessors, reports Anatolian Archaeology.

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Skeleton unearthed during excavations in Central Moravia. (Archaeological Center Olomouc).

An important area of the excavation, in Sedmiměričná near Křelov-Břuchotín, revealed evidence of four distinct burial periods spanning over 3,000 years. The area had been used for burials from the Late Stone Age until the 9th century, a period aligning with the presence of Slavic populations in the region of Great Moravia and the Great Moravian Empire.

Among the discoveries are 17 skeletal graves from the Corded Ware culture, four of which featured deep burial pits filled with rich grave goods, including ceramic vessels and flint tools. In each of these graves, pairs of axes—one polished and the other flaked—were found.

Corded Ware people were primarily pastoralists, with their burial practices reflecting a patriarchal society. They practiced individual burial in flat graves, often accompanied by richly decorated ceramics, flint tools, and axes, signifying their social status and craftsmanship. Their culture also emphasized mobility and the use of domesticated animals, influencing the spread of pastoralism across Europe.

Celtic belt recovered from site at Sedmiměričná. (Archaeological Center Olomouc)

Surrounding some of the graves were circular ditches, likely remnants of wooden structures that would have marked the sacred burial space from the surrounding area. This feature had only been identified at four other sites, making this discovery particularly significant.

Among the finds was also a unique grave of a Germanic warrior from the 3rd century, which contained a shield and an iron spear, rather unusual for Moravia. Additionally, seven cremation graves were uncovered, containing typical metal jewelry associated with Celtic culture.

The rescue excavation along the D35 highway took place between August 2023 and April 2024. With the fieldwork now complete, the next phase of the project will focus on analyzing the artifacts and skeletal remains. Laboratory analyses are expected to provide new insights into the physical characteristics, health, diet, and genetic relationships of the ancient inhabitants of this region, offering a deeper understanding of the people who lived there more than 4,000 years ago.

Top image: Aerial view of the Bronze Age burials near Olomouc, Moravia, Czech Republic.

Source: Archaeological Center Olomouc

By Sahir Pandey