Archaeologists working near the border between Ishøj and Taastrup believe they may have uncovered Denmark's oldest human skeleton. The discovery could rewrite the country's early history if confirmed.
Researchers found a molar tooth worn down to its root near the skeletal remains. This suggests the tooth was used as a tool for processing animal hides during the Mesolithic period. Such dental wear patterns indicate intensive chewing of leather materials.
Lead archaeologist Daniel Teilmann said the skeleton potentially dates back to the Middle Stone Age. This period spanned from approximately 9000 BC to 4000 BC in Scandinavian prehistory. The broader Hunter-Stone Age covered 12,500 BC to 4000 BC.
Archaeologists have named the remains "Taastrup Girl" based on feminine features observed in the skull. They cannot yet determine how she lived or died. Carbon-14 dating will establish the skeleton's precise age in coming weeks.
The previous oldest Danish skeleton discovery occurred in 1941 on Funen Island. Those remains were approximately 10,500 years old. If confirmed, the new find would surpass that record by several centuries.
Not all experts share the initial excitement. National Museum archaeologist Morten Fischer Mortensen expressed skepticism about the estimated age. He noted the skeleton was not found in the deepest soil layers typically associated with ancient remains.
Mortensen suggested the discovery might instead represent a bog body. These preserved remains are common in Denmark's wetland areas. The famous Grauballe Man bog body dates to about 290 BC and resides at Moesgaard Museum.
The archaeological community awaits laboratory results that will settle the dating controversy. Either way, the discovery adds valuable information about Denmark's early inhabitants.
This discovery highlights how much remains unknown about Scandinavia's ancient populations. The debate between researchers shows how archaeological interpretation often involves competing theories until scientific evidence provides clarity.