Violence at Verteba Cave, Ukraine: New insights into the Late Neolithic intergroup conflict

Abstract

Many researchers have pointed to the huge “megasites” and construction of fortifications as evidence of intergroup hostilities among the Late Neolithic Tripolye archaeological culture. However, to date, very few skeletal remains have been analysed for the types of traumatic injury that serve as direct evidence for violent conflict. In this study, we examine trauma on human remains from the Tripolye site of Verteba Cave in western Ukraine. The remains of 36 individuals, including 25 crania, were buried in the gypsum cave as secondary interments. The frequency of cranial trauma is 30–44% among the 25 crania, 6 males, 4 females, and 1 adult of indeterminate sex displayed cranial trauma. Of the 18 total fractures, 10 were significantly large and penetrating, suggesting lethal force. Over half of the trauma is located on the posterior aspect of the crania, suggesting that the victims were attacked from behind. Sixteen of the fractures observed were perimortem and 2 were ante‐mortem. The distribution and characteristics of the fractures suggest that some of the Tripolye individuals buried at Verteba Cave were victims of a lethal surprise attack. Resources were limited due to population growth and migration, leading to conflict over resource access. It is hypothesised that during this time of change, burial in this cave aided in development of identity and ownership of the local territory.

Analysis of ancient human mitochondrial DNA from Verteba Cave, Ukraine: insights into the Late Neolithic-Chalcolithic Cucuteni–Tripolye culture

“…One of the possibilities for settlement abandonment is warfare. It has been well documented at VC that interpersonal violence was a common phenomena (Anthony, 2007;Madden et al, 2018). Madden et al (2018) found a high degree of trauma-related cranial injuries among Trypillian burials.…”

“…It has been well documented at VC that interpersonal violence was a common phenomena (Anthony, 2007;Madden et al, 2018). Madden et al (2018) found a high degree of trauma-related cranial injuries among Trypillian burials. It is believed these individuals were killed by an outside raiding group and were later buried by members of the Tripolye culture.…”

“…Some believe the cave was used as a temporary shelter, while increasing archaeological evidence suggests use as a ritual site or a mortuary function (Kadrow and Pokutta, 2016;Ledogar, 2017). There is also evidence to support the idea that individuals buried in the cave, which are largely secondary in nature, are victims of warfare or sacrifice, due to the high frequency of blunt force trauma (Anthony, 2007;Madden et al, 2018). The cave contains the largest accumulation of human remains associated with the Tripolye culture found to date.…”

Who lived on the Swiss Plateau around 3300 BCE? Analyses of commingled human skeletal remains from the dolmen of Oberbipp

“…Based on the level of fragmentation, no indications for perimortem trauma (due to interpersonal violence or accidents) could be observed on the skeletal elements. However, the studies by Madden, Karsten, Ledogar, Schmidt, and Sokhatsky (), Nicklisch et al (), and Wierer et al () indicate that violence was quite existent during the Late Neolithic.…”

Gene-flow from steppe individuals into Cucuteni-Trypillia associated populations indicates long-standing contacts and gradual admixture

“…The vast majority of the human remains found there constituted crania and mandibles that were disposed of in the form of secondary interments. The different bone elements were found commingled and showed high levels of perimortem trauma and postmortem manipulation 16,17 . In contrast, the skeletal remains from the females presented in this study did not show any signs of interpersonal violence.…”