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Oldest Nuclear Family Found Murdered In Germany

Posted by kdawson on from the calling-csi-stone-age dept.

Pickens writes "The oldest genetically identifiable nuclear family met a violent death, according to analysis of remains from 4,600-year-old burials in Germany where the broken bones of these stone age people show they were killed in a struggle. Comparisons of DNA from one grave confirm it contained a mother, father, and their two children. 'We're really sure, based on hard biological facts not just supposing or assuming,' says Dr. Wolfgang Haak, from The Australian Centre for Ancient DNA. The stone-age people are thought to belong to a group known as the Corded Ware Culture, signified by their pots decorated with impressions from twisted cords. The children and adult males had the same type of strontium in their teeth — which was also found locally, but the nearest match to the women's teeth was at least 50km away, suggesting they had moved to the area. 'They were definitely murdered, there are big holes in their heads, fingers and wrists are broken,' says Dr. Alistair Pike from Bristol University. He noted that one victim even had the tip of a stone weapon embedded in a vertebra. 'You feel some kind of sympathy for them, it's a human thing, somebody must have really cared for them. ... We don't know how hard daily life was back there and if there was any space for love,' added Dr. Haak."

5 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. How the heck.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    How the heck did they survive 4600 years? Was it from all the radiation?? Were they zombies? That is so awesome

  2. Care for sure by Roland+Piquepaille · · Score: 5, Funny

    it's a human thing, somebody must have really cared for them

    Big holes in the head, broken limbs, bits of stone axe in the back? someone must have really cared for them, but in a Charlie Manson sort of way...

  3. Re:MOD PARENT DOWN -1 UNFUNNY WITH BAD TASTE by slart42 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I like bad taste.. but then again, I'm German.

  4. Which raises the question: by overzero · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is that the tip of a stone weapon embedded in your vertebra or are you just happy to see me?

  5. Re:MOD PARENT DOWN -1 UNFUNNY WITH BAD TASTE by zeromorph · · Score: 5, Funny

    But then, the small scale of the atrocity strikes me rather Ungerman, sorry for the taste, I'm German too.

    And just for the record, a quotation, attribute, of Margret Thatcher after a German football (soccer) victory:

    "They may have beat us at our national game, but we beat them twice at their national game."

    --
    "Hannibal's plans never work right. They just work." Amy/A-Team