Azerbaijan Dig Unearths Towering Bronze Age Warrior
Hey everyone! I recently stumbled upon a fascinating story that I thought you'd appreciate. In Azerbaijan, archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a **Bronze Age warrior** who stood tall – literally! This guy was over six and a half feet tall, which was pretty impressive for someone who lived roughly 3,800 years ago.
What's even cooler is that he was buried with his **four-pronged spearhead**. Can you imagine how intimidating he must have been? The way he was laid to rest suggests he was a pretty important military figure. It gives you a glimpse into the social structures of that time.
The burial mound itself, known as a kurgan, was massive. It was almost 100 feet in diameter and contained some serious stonework, including a stone idol shaped like a bull. These kurgans were often built by nomadic cultures as ceremonial structures, and they provide valuable insights into their beliefs about the afterlife. For example, the chamber where the warrior was found was divided into sections: one for the skeleton, one for ceramic vessels, and one completely empty. It's thought that this empty space was meant to be a "resting place" for the deceased's spirit.
Besides the spearhead, which is a rare find in the region, researchers found bronze ankle adornments, obsidian tools, beads, and pottery. And get this – the ceramic vessels contained cooked animal bones, like they were packing a lunch for the afterlife! It really highlights the care and respect they had for the deceased.
For the past five years, a huge team of researchers has been working on the Keshikchidagh reserve, which is a major archaeological site. They're planning even more lab analyses, including carbon dating and isotope testing, to learn even more about this incredible find. I will keep you updated about it!
Source: Gizmodo