Archeologists in Germany found an ancient gravesite containing the skeletal remains of a young boy and a calcified egg.Photo:Bavarian State Office for Monument PreservationResearchers are trying to unearth the mystery surrounding a medieval child who was found buried with a hard-boiled egg.Back in 2014, a team of archaeologists in Germany discovered the grave of a medieval boy in Erding in Bavaria, according to a March 27news releasefrom the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation, per theMiami Herald.The skeletal remains were determined to belong to that of a young boy, who was about 5 years old at the time of his death. Leaving researchers puzzled, the calcified remains of a hard-boiled egg were found on top of the child’s bones.The calcified remains of an egg found in the medieval grave.Bavarian State Office for Monument PreservationThe grave also contained a set of belts and weapons characteristic of the seventh century A.D., which means the site could be about 1,300 years old.Officials said the egg likely had a symbolic significance for the boy’s family, according to theMiami Herald.Skeletal remains of a young boy found in an ancient grave in Germany.Bavarian State Office for Monument PreservationThis is not the first ancient gravesite that has been unearthed with eggs inside. The food item has been found in Italian burial sites dating all the way back to the fifth century B.C.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Two fertilized chicken eggs were discovered in female graves in a cemetery in Kukruse, Estonia, that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, according to a2017 studypublished in the Journal of Human Palaeoecology.The authors of that study also suggested symbolic interpretations — “of both pagan and Christian religious worldviews.“Artificial eggs — in materials including clay and bronze — also have been found in ancient graves. The Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation said in its release that eggs holddifferent meanings, depending on the particular culture, per theMiami Herald.For some, the egg symbolizes fertility and the circle of life. In the Christian faith, the egg represents Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, while in the Jewish religion, it symbolizes sacrifice and loss.
Archeologists in Germany found an ancient gravesite containing the skeletal remains of a young boy and a calcified egg.Photo:Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation
Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation
Researchers are trying to unearth the mystery surrounding a medieval child who was found buried with a hard-boiled egg.Back in 2014, a team of archaeologists in Germany discovered the grave of a medieval boy in Erding in Bavaria, according to a March 27news releasefrom the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation, per theMiami Herald.The skeletal remains were determined to belong to that of a young boy, who was about 5 years old at the time of his death. Leaving researchers puzzled, the calcified remains of a hard-boiled egg were found on top of the child’s bones.The calcified remains of an egg found in the medieval grave.Bavarian State Office for Monument PreservationThe grave also contained a set of belts and weapons characteristic of the seventh century A.D., which means the site could be about 1,300 years old.Officials said the egg likely had a symbolic significance for the boy’s family, according to theMiami Herald.Skeletal remains of a young boy found in an ancient grave in Germany.Bavarian State Office for Monument PreservationThis is not the first ancient gravesite that has been unearthed with eggs inside. The food item has been found in Italian burial sites dating all the way back to the fifth century B.C.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Two fertilized chicken eggs were discovered in female graves in a cemetery in Kukruse, Estonia, that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, according to a2017 studypublished in the Journal of Human Palaeoecology.The authors of that study also suggested symbolic interpretations — “of both pagan and Christian religious worldviews.“Artificial eggs — in materials including clay and bronze — also have been found in ancient graves. The Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation said in its release that eggs holddifferent meanings, depending on the particular culture, per theMiami Herald.For some, the egg symbolizes fertility and the circle of life. In the Christian faith, the egg represents Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, while in the Jewish religion, it symbolizes sacrifice and loss.
Researchers are trying to unearth the mystery surrounding a medieval child who was found buried with a hard-boiled egg.
Back in 2014, a team of archaeologists in Germany discovered the grave of a medieval boy in Erding in Bavaria, according to a March 27news releasefrom the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation, per theMiami Herald.
The skeletal remains were determined to belong to that of a young boy, who was about 5 years old at the time of his death. Leaving researchers puzzled, the calcified remains of a hard-boiled egg were found on top of the child’s bones.
The calcified remains of an egg found in the medieval grave.Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation
The grave also contained a set of belts and weapons characteristic of the seventh century A.D., which means the site could be about 1,300 years old.
Officials said the egg likely had a symbolic significance for the boy’s family, according to theMiami Herald.
Skeletal remains of a young boy found in an ancient grave in Germany.Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation
This is not the first ancient gravesite that has been unearthed with eggs inside. The food item has been found in Italian burial sites dating all the way back to the fifth century B.C.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Two fertilized chicken eggs were discovered in female graves in a cemetery in Kukruse, Estonia, that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, according to a2017 studypublished in the Journal of Human Palaeoecology.
The authors of that study also suggested symbolic interpretations — “of both pagan and Christian religious worldviews.”
Artificial eggs — in materials including clay and bronze — also have been found in ancient graves. The Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation said in its release that eggs holddifferent meanings, depending on the particular culture, per theMiami Herald.
For some, the egg symbolizes fertility and the circle of life. In the Christian faith, the egg represents Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, while in the Jewish religion, it symbolizes sacrifice and loss.
source: people.com
