archaeology
Shock near Niš: Mysterious graves found under the railway, believed to be...
During protective archaeological research conducted by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Niš, on the route of the railway bypass around Niš, at the Novosel site in the area of Malča village, remains of settlements and graves belonging to the Starčevo culture, about 8,000 years old, were discovered.
TL;DR
- Remains of settlements and graves from the approximately 8,000-year-old Starčevo culture were discovered at the Novosel site near Niš.
- The Starčevo culture is a cultural group from the central Balkans and lower Pannonia, preceding the Vinča culture.
- Three individuals' skeletal remains have been found in contracted, fetal positions, typical of Starčevo inhumation practices.
- The Novosel site is multi-layered, showing evidence of Eneolithic, Starčevo culture (Middle Neolithic), and ancient periods.
- These Starčevo graves are the southernmost discovered to date and represent the oldest burial evidence in Niš's past.
- Excavations cover approximately 15,000 m² along a 500 m stretch of the railway bypass.
- The discoveries are part of protective measures to preserve archaeological heritage during construction and mark the 60th anniversary of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Niš.