A significant archaeological discovery in South Moravia, Czech Republic, has revealed the remains of two women who lived approximately 6,000 years ago. Unearthed within a flint mine, these skeletons offer a profound glimpse into the lives of European Neolithic communities. The remains were found interred together, with a newborn infant placed upon one woman's chest and a dog's remains nearby. Genetic analysis indicates the two women were sisters, neither of whom appears to be the biological mother of the infant, prompting deeper contemplation of the era's complex burial customs and familial relationships.
Further studies suggest these women were actively engaged in labor within the flint mine, with evidence of strenuous work apparent in their skeletal structures, including an unhealed forearm fracture on one sister. These findings challenge conventional understandings of gender roles in Neolithic societies, indicating women undertook demanding physical tasks. Despite indications of childhood malnutrition, isotopic analysis shows the sisters consumed a diet richer in meat compared to their contemporaries, possibly due to their intense physical exertion, a deliberate choice for more nutritious food sources, or their essential role in flint mining operations. The South Moravian region was crucial for tool production during this period. The precise cause of their deaths remains undetermined, with their unique burial possibly signifying a ritualistic act. This discovery provides invaluable insights into the daily lives, belief systems, and societal standing of women in South Moravia between 4000 and 4500 BCE.