The artifacts include pieces of gold jewelry
like this earring in the shape of a boat or barge from more than 2,000 years ago
The wealth of grave goods suggests the person buried there was a leader of high status — possibly a Stone Age chieftain
a "mayor" was buried with a wealth of food and riches
according to archaeologists who found the rare burial in southern Germany
the discovery was made last week by district archaeologists excavating at the village of Exing
The person in the grave was buried with food and drink for the afterlife; dyes for body painting; a stone ax and a stone adze; and a boar's tooth split in two.
The rich grave goods indicate that the person buried there was of high status
possibly an elder or a chieftain — and archaeologists have dubbed them "The Mayor."
The investigation hasn't yet determined how old the person was when they died
Related: 'Octagonal' sword from Bronze Age burial in Germany is so well preserved, it shines
as very few Neolithic skeletons have survived
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the finds indicated a person of special position who was older in years and had probably earned their wealth and status
The two parts of a boar's tooth were probably two halves of a container that had once held a flint blade and tools for making fire — a symbol of status
because hunting wild boars was dangerous at that time
The person in the grave was buried in a squatting position
and several vessels had been placed around their head — but it's not yet known what they originally held.
A drinking vessel placed in front of the skeleton's face was probably their personal cup
and stone blades were also placed in the grave.
The spectacular finds from Exing span roughly 7,000 years
from the Neolithic through to the Copper and Bronze Ages
—11,000-year-old submerged stone wall discovered off Germany was once used to trap reindeer
—Nearly 8,000 medieval coins and 7 Bronze Age swords unearthed in Germany
—Wishing well used for Bronze Age 'cult rituals' discovered in Bavaria
Eibl said the area was important during the Neolithic period for its rich settlements such as Köthingeichendorf, which was a center of importance throughout Europe at that time.
The skeleton of "The Mayor" will now be examined on site by an anthropologist and have photographs taken to produce a precise 3D model. The technique, known as photogrammetry, involves stitching multiple digital images together to make a virtual model.
Live Science ContributorTom Metcalfe is a freelance journalist and regular Live Science contributor who is based in London in the United Kingdom
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have unearthed a 6,800-year-old skeleton accompanied by an array of grave goods
suggesting that the individual was a prominent figure in their community
now referred to as the “Exinger,” was found in the district of Exing
during routine archaeological checks prior to a construction project
The finding was announced by district archaeologist Florian Eibl
and a distinctive boar’s tooth halved and used as decoration for a small bag
This bag likely contained flint and pyrite used for making fire
underscoring the individual’s high status and possibly his role as a village leader or a chieftain
The grave goods included a personal drinking vessel placed in front of the skeleton’s face
several stone blades positioned around the body
which was used as a dye during burial rites
The presence of these items suggests the deceased was a person of considerable importance and respect within the Neolithic society
Eibl explained to German outlet Der Spiegel that the split boar’s tooth symbolized status due to the peril involved in hunting wild boars with rudimentary weapons of the time
along with a large amount of pottery—about four times the usual quantity found in graves from this period—indicates that the individual had achieved their status through personal accomplishments rather than inheritance
estimated that the man was approximately 1.70 meters tall
Despite the good preservation of the skeleton
determining the exact age at death has been challenging due to its fragile condition
the grave goods imply that the man was middle-aged
as such status was typically earned through years of experience and leadership
The body was buried in a crouching position
a form of burial that was uncommon for the period
making this discovery even more exceptional
may still contain traces of their original contents
has been a focal point for archaeological interest due to its rich history of human settlement
Florian Eibl noted that the region has been significant since the Neolithic period
with settlements active from around 10,000 years ago until 2,000 BCE
The discovery of the Exinger adds a valuable piece to the puzzle of understanding early European societies
including gold jewelry from various periods
suggest that the area was an important cultural and economic center throughout the Neolithic
Eibl emphasized that the Neolithic period was a time of significant societal development
This grave is considered one of the best-preserved Neolithic sites in Lower Bavaria
with only ten other sets of remains discovered among 28 burial sites in the region
Further analysis of the skeleton and the grave goods will continue
with researchers employing photogrammetry to create a detailed 3D model of the burial site
which involves stitching together multiple digital images
will help archaeologists and historians better understand the burial practices and daily life of the Neolithic people in this region
being approximately 1,500 years older than the famous Ötzi the Iceman
provides a new point of reference for studying early European human history
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