53
submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

The discovery of a lynx buried with four dogs at an early-medieval settlement in Hungary is confounding archaeologists, as these wild cats are rarely found in archaeological digs.

The fifth-to-sixth-century pit, which was about 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) deep, contained a complete lynx skeleton at the bottom and the skeletons of four dogs — the size of present-day pointers or German shepherds — layered on top of it. Possible interpretations of the unique find, such as a hunting accident and a lynx cult, are detailed in a new study published March 21 in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.

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[-] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago

So, the Hungarian prankster 1500 years ago succeeded?

[-] [email protected] 12 points 2 months ago

The lynx tripped into a hole and the 4 dogs chasing it comically tripped in the exact same exaggerated manner, one after another.

[-] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago

Could they have been pets?

[-] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Thinking pet pit. Dig 1 deep hole and then bury as they die.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

It seems to describe that they were all buried at the same time.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

This really seems the obvious answer

[-] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Can a Lynx kill four dogs? Seems like a hunt gone wrong.

[-] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

That’s what I’m thinking. The lynx took down those dogs before finally being overpowered, and the dogs’ handler(s) buried them all together to show respect for the impressive fight that the lynx put up.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

"our rather special find is indeed the 'missing lynx' in this story," Bartosiewicz said.

Oh, you!

[-] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago
[-] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Ceremonial purpose

[-] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

@recreationalplacebos
That lynx was such a hellion they sent four dogs after it to keep its *spirit* at bay

this post was submitted on 09 Apr 2024
53 points (96.5% liked)

Archaeology

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Archaeology or archeology[a] is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscapes.

Archaeology has various goals, which range from understanding culture history to reconstructing past lifeways to documenting and explaining changes in human societies through time.

The discipline involves surveying, excavation, and eventually analysis of data collected, to learn more about the past. In broad scope, archaeology relies on cross-disciplinary research. Read more...

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