Skeletons of a couple were found still locked in embrace back in 2013, reports the Huffington Post. And recently, DNA test results have proven that the two skeletons are indeed male and female, reports the Associated Press.
According to the Huffington Post, the skeleton couple was found seemingly spooning each other, lying in fetal position. Surrounding the couple were a number of grave goods like an ossuary, several ceramic urns, beads, and other offerings, adds Ancient-origins.net.
They are estimated to be 5,800 years old. Ancient-origins.net states that the couple date back to 3,800 BCE and are believed to have died at 20-25 years old. Carbon dating has helped track the ages of the skeletons, who were found in the Diros Caves in Greece, reports Food World News.
Ancient-origins.net states that the Diros Caves was discoverd in the 1950's and is actually a series of caves found in the Pelopennese region in Pirgos, Diros. The site specifically states that skeletons of the embracing couple were found near the northern entrance of the Alepotrypa cave - a.k.a the "foxhole."
Discovery states that archaeologists believe the caves were used as settlements and as a cemetery. Ancient-origins.net adds that the caves were also used as a storage area, a place for workshops, and as a place of worship.
Aside from the skeleton couple, remains of adults, children and even embryos have been found in the caves. There was also a 13 ft. wide crypt found paved with a unique pebble floor that held a dozen skeletons.
Archaeologists working on the excavation of the sight believe that the caves' entrance collapsed around 3,200 BCE., due to an earthquake. People living in the caves at the time were buried alive when it collapsed.
Ancient-origins.net state that Giorgos Papathanassiou, the leading archaeologist in the Diros cave excavations, since the 1970's, described the skeleton couple as a "stunning discovery." Giorgos adds that they might be "the oldest grave to have ever been found" in Greece.
The Greek Ministry of Culture supports Giorgos' belief about the couple when he told Discovery, "Double burials in embrace are extremely rare. The skeletons of Diros represent one of the oldest, if not the oldest, found to this date."
Anastassia Papathanassiou, a senior member of the excavation team that found the grave, told AP that the couple likely died holding each other. She adds that it is unclear how the two died, but believes that with further DNA testing, that question will be answered.
