Fresh leads in 3,000 year old murder

Ulrich sez, "My father blogged for the first time on my site, writing up a 3,000 year old murder case.

In short, some archaeologist found some skulls surrounding a neolithic henge in southern Germany and found some good evidence that they children were murdered. The local museum has a new exhibit on the discovery as well as some speculation on why the Bronze age settlers might have killed the children."


The murder was brutal–and it took place over 3,000 years ago. Archaeologists first found the skulls in the 1920s when they excavated a Neolithic settlement called "Wasserburg". At the time, the Neolithic settlement was a relatively bustling place. The people kept horses that they used to pull wagons and sleds, and even had a metal workshop that was able to cast bronze artifacts.

The scientists found six skulls equally spaced on the outside of the palisade fence surrounding the settlement. Only the skulls of the victims were found. Five of the skulls were children three to sixteen years old. The sixth skull was from a 50 year old woman.

Using forensic tools, scientists have shown that the children died 900 years BC and some of them may have been related. The scientists have also reconstructed their skulls, speculating that the boy was killed with a blunt club. The girl was most likely killed with a sharp metallic instrument like a sword or a lance. Small copper particles were detected in her skull.

A 3,000-Year Old Cold Case: Who Killed The Children In Bad Buchau?

(Thanks, Ulrich!)