A Case of Sharp Force Trauma to the Skull of Female Buried Within a Neolithic Rondel, Kolín (Czech Republic)

Abstract

In this paper we describe a case of non-healed sharp force trauma to the skull of a young female who was buried within a Neolithic circular enclosure (rondel) dated to the Stroked Pottery Culture (encompassing the period between 5100 BC and 4400 BC) at Kolín (Czech Republic). The girl was buried in a stretched position with her face directed right and her arms folded in the same direction, richly equipped with ornaments made from both freshwater and sea shells. This body arrangement diverges from the style for dead bodies that is typical of this region and time period. The exceptional grave location combined with unusual funerary treatment could reflect a foreign origin or special role in society. In the absence of additional conflict mortality data at the settlement, we conclude that this girl may have died as the result of inter- or intra-group conflict or non-specified homicide, possibly with ritual connotations.