• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Anthropology

The skull of ‘Vittrup Man’ was smashed by eight heavy blows in a violent murder, new research finds

by Dario Radley
February 16, 2024

The mystery surrounding the ancient “Vittrup Man,” whose remains were discovered in a peat bog in northwest Denmark over a century ago, has been unraveled by a collaborative effort of international scientists. Through advanced genetic analyses and cutting-edge research techniques, a detailed portrait of this 5,000-year-old individual’s life has emerged.

The skull of 'Vittrup Man' was smashed by eight heavy blows in a violent murder, new research finds
The cranial remains of Vittrup Man, who ended up in a bog after his skull had been crushed by at least eight heavy blows. Credit: Stephen Freiheit, PLOS One (2024)

Originally found in 1915 by peat diggers near the village of Vittrup, the skeletal remains, including a fragmented skull and jaw, hinted at a violent end, with evidence of at least eight blows to the head. However, it wasn’t until recent studies that the full extent of Vittrup Man’s story began to unfold.

Led by Anders Fischer of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and his team, researchers delved into Vittrup Man’s genetics, diet, and geographical origins, uncovering surprising details about his life. Analyses revealed that he was born along the Scandinavian coast, likely in northern Norway or Sweden, around 5,200 years ago.

Despite this coastal upbringing, Vittrup Man’s journey took him to Denmark in his late teens, where he integrated into a farming community. This transition in diet and lifestyle, from a hunter-gatherer reliant on marine resources to a farmer consuming domesticated animals, was evident from isotopic and protein analyses of his teeth and bones.

The skull of 'Vittrup Man' was smashed by eight heavy blows in a violent murder, new research finds
A cartoon included with the new research depicts how Vittrup Man was possibly sacrificed in a swamp. Credit: Anders Fischer/Niels Bach / CC-BY 4.0

The reasons behind Vittrup Man’s migration remain speculative, with researchers proposing scenarios ranging from voluntary relocation for trade or adventure to possible captivity or enslavement. Regardless of the circumstances, his presence in Denmark marked a significant departure from his ancestral homeland.

RelatedStories

350-year-old mummified head in Switzerland traced to Bolivia’s Aymara people after new study

350-year-old mummified head in Switzerland traced to Bolivia’s Aymara people after new study

September 14, 2025
Ancient human sacrifices unearthed at Puémape temple site in Peru

Ancient human sacrifices unearthed at Puémape temple site in Peru

September 6, 2025

The discovery of Vittrup Man’s distinct genetic signature, closely linked to populations in northern Scandinavia, challenges previous assumptions about the homogeneity of ancient Danish inhabitants.

The skull of 'Vittrup Man' was smashed by eight heavy blows in a violent murder, new research finds
(Left) Principal drawing of the cranium with indications of eight impact lesions and radiating fracture lines. Credit: Marie Louise Jørkov, Anders Fischer and Sidsel Wåhlin, graphically finalised by Rich Potter, University of Gothenburg. (Right) The jawbone of Vittrup Man. Several of the teeth are corroded due to soil chemical processes. All are clearly worn as a result of chewing. Credit: Arnold Mikkelsen.

One prevailing theory regarding Vittrup Man’s demise suggests that he may have been a victim of ritual sacrifice, a common practice in Neolithic Europe. The brutal nature of his death, evidenced by the multiple cranial fractures, aligns with archaeological findings of sacrificial activity in the region.

The study of Vittrup Man not only sheds light on individual life histories but also offers broader insights into the dynamics of ancient societies. By examining the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural lifestyles and the genetic interplay between different populations, researchers gain a deeper understanding of human migration and cultural exchange in prehistoric Europe.

More information: Fischer A, Sjögren K-G, Jensen TZT, Jørkov ML, Lysdahl P, Vimala T, et al. (2024) Vittrup Man–The life-history of a genetic foreigner in Neolithic Denmark. PLoS ONE 19(2): e0297032. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297032
Share1Tweet1ShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Ancient stone megastructures reveal Europe’s earliest large-scale prehistoric hunting system
Archaeology

Ancient stone megastructures reveal Europe’s earliest large-scale prehistoric hunting system

October 16, 2025
Hidden shine of the Peebles Hoard: Bronze Age treasures reveal a 3,000-year-old silvery secret
Archaeology

Hidden shine of the Peebles Hoard: Bronze Age treasures reveal a 3,000-year-old silvery secret

October 16, 2025
Roman soldier’s 1,900-year-old tombstone mysteriously found in a New Orleans backyard
Archaeology

Roman soldier’s 1,900-year-old tombstone mysteriously found in a New Orleans backyard

October 16, 2025
Ancient birch tar reveals how Europe’s first farmers chewed, cooked, and crafted 6,000 years ago
Archaeology

Ancient birch tar reveals how Europe’s first farmers chewed, cooked, and crafted 6,000 years ago

October 15, 2025
Ancient stone tools show Europe’s early humans innovated independently from the Near East 42,000 years ago
Anthropology

Ancient stone tools show Europe’s early humans innovated independently from the Near East 42,000 years ago

October 15, 2025
Ancient shipwrecks rewrite 500 years of Iron Age Mediterranean trade
Archaeology

Ancient shipwrecks rewrite 500 years of Iron Age Mediterranean trade

October 15, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
245K

Facebook
116K

Threads
44K

LinkedIn
13K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Shipwreck Salvage. Credit: rawpixel.com / Public Domain

2,000-year-old shipwreck discovered off Turkish coast with remarkably preserved stacked ceramics

July 2, 2025
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

September 13, 2025
Mystery of Armenia’s 6,000-year-old dragon stones solved

Mystery of Armenia’s 6,000-year-old dragon stones solved

September 23, 2025
Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

July 31, 2025
Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

3D analysis reveals Shroud of Turin image likely came from sculpture, not Jesus’ body

3D analysis reveals Shroud of Turin image likely came from sculpture, not Jesus’ body

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Ancient stone megastructures reveal Europe’s earliest large-scale prehistoric hunting system

Ancient stone megastructures reveal Europe’s earliest large-scale prehistoric hunting system

October 16, 2025
Hidden shine of the Peebles Hoard: Bronze Age treasures reveal a 3,000-year-old silvery secret

Hidden shine of the Peebles Hoard: Bronze Age treasures reveal a 3,000-year-old silvery secret

October 16, 2025
Roman soldier’s 1,900-year-old tombstone mysteriously found in a New Orleans backyard

Roman soldier’s 1,900-year-old tombstone mysteriously found in a New Orleans backyard

October 16, 2025
Ancient birch tar reveals how Europe’s first farmers chewed, cooked, and crafted 6,000 years ago

Ancient birch tar reveals how Europe’s first farmers chewed, cooked, and crafted 6,000 years ago

October 15, 2025
Ancient stone tools show Europe’s early humans innovated independently from the Near East 42,000 years ago

Ancient stone tools show Europe’s early humans innovated independently from the Near East 42,000 years ago

October 15, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved