Breathtaking Pictures Of The Valdaro Lovers, A Pair Of Skeletons That Had Been Locked For 6,000 Years

The Valdaro Lovers are two skeletons who have been locked in an eternal embrace for 6,000 years. The embracing skeletons were found in 2007, at a Neolithic tomb next to the village of Valdaro in Mantua, Italy.

According to scientists, the partners were probably no older than 20 years old when they died and were around 5’2″ (157 cm) in height. An osteological examination showed that there was no evidence of violent death. As many historians believe, the couple died that way because of the flints tools that were discovered with them. The male skeleton was found having a flint arrowhead beside his neck, while the female had a long stone blade along her thigh as well as two flint knives under her pelvis.


The Lovers of Valdaro. Photo Credit


The skeletons were found in 2007 in the village of Valdaro. Photo Credit
A possible explanation is that the flint tools were buried as grave goods together with the lovers. It's fascinating that their bodies were positioned that way after they died. They were discovered in a necropolis, so they didn't die that way by accident, rather, it is claimed that they were positioned that way.

It's even more impressive that, during the Neolithic period, double burials were really uncommon which makes their position unique. The embracing skeletons are the only situation of a double burial in Northern Italy. When they were discovered, the media published pictures of them, causing great excitement across the globe.


The pair of skeletons dates back 6, 000 years. Photo Credit
Since the skeletons were discovered just ten years ago, it is extremely challenging to define anything about them so quickly. It's a long process where every bone will have to be examined thoroughly. However, as Elena Maria Menotti, the archaeologist who led the excavation, decided, the couple shouldn't be separated, but they should be moved and preserved as they were discovered. So, the excavation team dug up the block of the earth in which they were found and put them in a wooden box.


The Lovers are on display at the Archaeological Museum in Mantua, Italy. Photo Credit
The skeletons were sent to the Musei Civici in Como. In September 2011, the Valdaro Lovers were finally displayed in public at the Mantua’s Archaeological Museum.

As explained by professor Silvia Bangoli, the president of the association “Lovers in Mantua”, approximately €250,000 should be enough for the skeletons to have an exhibition center of their own. Also, Bangoli said that €200,000 more could be used for a multimedia space where the world could hear the story of the embracing skeletons. The association “Lovers of Mantua”, is still searching for a home for the ancient lovers where they can be displayed permanently.

Reference: The Vintage News