New carbon datings have left archeologists puzzled over who placed elk bones in a bog 11,000 years ago. (Photo: Geert Brovad)
Posted on 07/10/2014 10:03:45 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Someone put elk bones in a bog several thousand years ago -- but archaeologists have no clue who it was... when the bones of several elks were excavated from Lundby bog in south Zealand in 1999, the archaeologists dated some of the animal remains back to sometime between 9,400 and 9,300 BC.
Recently, however, the archaeologists did a new carbon 14 dating on some of the bones which revealed that they dated back to between 9,873 and 9,676 BC.
These elk bones were clearly not buried in the bog over a short period, as originally thought, but were placed there over several centuries – and this surprised the archaeologists...
An important clue to who buried the elks comes from an axe made from an elk antler found in the bog. According to the archaeologists, this kind of tool is only known from the Maglemosean culture who lived between 9,000 and 6,400 BC. Only problem is there’s never been discovered a settlement which dates back to the time the elk bones were placed in the bog.
“There are plenty of settlements in the vicinity of the bog from the Mesolithic period around 12,800 and 3,900 BC but none of these settlements are as old as the oldest elk bones,” says Pedersen. “We’ve examined the bog many times and we’ve not been able to localise any settlements -- but we assume they are there -- somewhere.”
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencenordic.com ...
New carbon datings have left archeologists puzzled over who placed elk bones in a bog 11,000 years ago. (Photo: Geert Brovad)
Now there you go again Dr. Smith. How were those ages determined? Please be specific. Thank you.
elk bones.
is that a new dog chew by purina ?
We never hear finds described as poo sticks, they’re always Antlers or Shaman magic wands.
As noted in the article and the excerpt, they were dated by the radiocarbon method.
perhaps poaching elk from the manor lord was best dealt with by hiding the bones in the bog ?
Just read wikipedia about carbon dating, it is a technique that is old as dirt. Interesting article, hope they solve this little mystery. Alot we still need to find out about early people that lived tens of thousands of years before us.
I have a theory.
—Anne Elk
Thinkum you might make a good elk chew!
Would know those bones anywhere. That is Great (X 200 generations or so) Uncle Thunderhooves, Grand Exalted Ruler of Lundby Bog, Zealand. So THAT’S What happened to him!
Not many “manor houses” 12000 years ago in New Zealand.
A short summary is here http://www.radiocarbon.com/about-carbon-dating.htm
If you want to learn more my suggestion is that you watch Rick Normans lectures; the first is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkRPvqbEdjE
‘They have no reasons why the elk bones were there’.
A new hypothesis: They were offerings of thanks from the previous hunt, and for as much or more, as they had hunted that season, for the next season.
Bogs have become a place where they have found articles, tools, bones, and a few bodies, and all show signs of sacrifce. Why not elk bones?
That is the first thing that came to my mind. Another reason might be that the animals were diseased and the carcasses were put far away from people and other animals..
Bog = stone age trash can.
Solved.
Zealand is the big Danish island Copenhagen is on.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
