Archaeologists Discover Ancient Skeleton in Belgium

Archaeologists in Belgium have uncovered a remarkable skeleton in a Roman-era burial site, which surprisingly consists of bones from at least five individuals spanning 2,500 years. Initially believed to be a single Roman woman based on the presence of a bone pin, radiocarbon dating revealed that the skeleton also includes remains from the Neolithic period, dating back to 7000 to 3000 BC. Researchers speculate that the Romans may have disturbed an ancient burial and unintentionally assembled the composite skeleton, possibly out of superstition or a desire to connect with past inhabitants. The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, challenge previous assumptions about burial practices and highlight the complexities of ancient funerary customs. The study underscores a rare occurrence of composite individuals, with DNA analysis confirming contributions from multiple individuals. This discovery not only sheds light on ancient burial practices but also raises questions about how different cultures interacted with the remains of their predecessors.