Eternal embrace - neolithic burials? Do the archaeologists think this was purposely done?

Question

Re: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070206/sc_nm/italy_embrace_dc

Does anyone have more info? Isn't this like Aida and Romeo and Juliet, too? You'd think these stories meant nothing, but the reality almost made me cry for joy!

Answer 1

Given that I don't know much about this other than a look at the picture I have two comments.

The first is questionable in accuracy because I simply cannot remember where I heard of it or learned it or if it was fictional. It was a culture of the people that when the husband died the wife was always killed and buried with the husband.

The other is that the embrace may not have been one of love, per say. One must consider what circumstances must have been for them to have both died embracing one another. The embrace might be that of the experience of being terrified and holding each other to comfort and protect each other from some imminent danger. Maybe love, or maybe simply an instinctual response.

Just a few thoughts

Answer 2

I read that news article myself, since I'm rather intrigued by neolithic societies, and I came to one conclusion. Even in a primative state, all (human) beings are defined by their capacity to, and  need  for love.

Answer 3

What do you mean by purposefully done? They are most definitely closely entwined/embraced - not an accident for certain.

I, too, was thrilled and touched by this story and the pics. Imagine the love!

Answer 4

It looks like it was purposely done, but it's important because it shows mortuary behavior and for-thought that is rare to find during that time period. It could also show a belief in an afterlife which would be important in studying the beginnings of religion.

Answer 5

This was certainly purposeful, and very beautiful.

By the by, y'all, these guys were only 5000 years old.  The Great Pyramid at Giza is about 4500 years old.  It's not extraordinary that people back then thought about death and life after death.  It's just extraordinary to see such a simple act of love from so long ago.