A perplexing discovery in Hungary has left archaeologists scratching their heads. Unearthed during an excavation at the Zamárdi-Kútvölgyi-dűlő dig site, a pit dating back to the Roman era (approximately 1,500 years ago) contained an unusual combination of skeletons – a lynx nestled beneath four dogs.
The research team, led by the Institute of Archaeology, HUN-REN Research Center for the Humanities in Hungary, collaborated with a colleague from Stockholm University to analyze the find. Their findings were recently published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.
Lynx remains are a rarity in archaeological digs due to their limited historical interaction with humans. Finding one intentionally buried alongside domesticated dogs is even more extraordinary.
The pit, measuring roughly 1.4 meters deep, held the complete skeletons of four dogs – two male and two female, all similar in size to German Shepherds – layered on top of the lynx remains. Each layer was separated by 20 to 40 centimeters of dirt.
While the exact purpose behind this unusual burial remains a mystery, the researchers offer some possibilities. One theory suggests a violent encounter, where all the animals perished in a fight and were subsequently buried together. Another possibility is a ritualistic burial, although the absence of any ritualistic objects or symbols weakens this hypothesis.
The researchers acknowledge the limitations of their current understanding. “The real reason for the burial will probably never be found,” they conclude in their paper.
This discovery highlights the potential for archaeological finds to pose more questions than answers. The presence of the lynx in a seemingly deliberate burial alongside dogs offers a glimpse into past practices that may forever remain shrouded in some degree of mystery. Future analysis and collaboration with other disciplines might shed light on this enigmatic event, offering a more comprehensive understanding of human-animal interactions and burial customs in Roman-era Hungary.