Genetic analysis of an ancient child burial in Bavaria, dubbed the 'Ice Prince,' provides insights into elite life and early Christian influences in 7th-century Europe, offering a glimpse into the past.
In 2021, archaeologists in Mattsies, southern Germany, discovered the remarkably preserved body of a young child, approximately 18 months old, buried over 1,350 years ago. To preserve the delicate find, the entire stone burial chamber was frozen in a block of ice for transport to a laboratory in Bamberg. This innovative technique allowed for detailed study without disturbing the remains.
The child, who lived between 670 and 680 AD, belonged to a high-status family, as evidenced by the grave goods. The burial site, constructed from stone and sealed with lime mortar, was located within a former Roman villa. Dental and DNA analysis revealed the child had blue eyes and fair hair, likely born in the same region.
Despite being breastfed, the child died from a poorly treated ear infection, a common cause of mortality in pre-modern societies. The child was buried in fine clothing, including leather shoes, trousers, and a long-sleeved linen tunic adorned with silk bands. The silk, a luxury item, was likely imported from the Byzantine Empire.
Silver bracelets, spurs, a gold-inlaid sword, and a cloth fragment with gold leaf in a cross shape were also found. This cross suggests early Christian influence among the elite. A bronze bowl with a comb, a wooden container, a silver-reinforced cup, hazelnuts, apples, a pear, and piglet bones were also discovered.
According to Mathias Pfeil, Director General of the BLfD, the grave goods suggest a funeral banquet ritual. "The comb was used for grooming, the bronze bowl for washing hands, and the turned wooden tableware and silver-detailed cups were used during ceremonial meals," he concludes. This discovery highlights the complex social and religious practices of early medieval Bavaria.