Cleaning crews discovered a human skull inside a historic tile stove in Vadstena, Sweden. The workers found the skull among debris and candle remnants during an estate clearance. They immediately contacted local police, who confiscated the cranial remains.
Police have launched a preliminary investigation into suspected grave desecration. Investigators confirm the skull appears human but lack further details about its origin.
"We have limited information so far, but we suspect it's a human skull," said Marcus Hoppe, the preliminary investigation leader for Motala police. He made the statement during a press briefing about the Vadstena discovery.
One unconfirmed theory suggests the skull might have originated from a museum collection. Police have not verified this possibility as their investigation continues.
Tile stoves like the one in Vadstena represent classic Swedish interior design from previous centuries. These decorative heating elements often contain hidden compartments and spaces.
The discovery raises obvious questions about how human remains ended up in a domestic setting. This appears to be either a case of historical preservation gone wrong or something more concerning.