Archaeologists have discovered an unusual Mesolithic burial: a baby girl rested in it, who lived only 40-50 days. According to Gizmodo, the age of the burial is estimated at 10 thousand years, it is a unique illustration of how ancient people treated their dead relatives..

“At the moment, this is the oldest burial of a female baby in Europe.. Hope it will be different soon. Archaeological records tend to focus on male stories and roles, with many people not participating in the narrative. DNA analysis allows us to better understand the diversity of human personalities and status in the past. Without DNA analysis, this richly-equipped children's burial site could be considered a masculine one, ”said co-researcher Jamie Hodgkins, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Colorado at Denver..

The burial belongs to an infant who was given the nickname Neva, it was found back in 2017 in a cave in northwestern Italy. Even before scientists found the baby, they spent two field seasons working with ice age tools likely made by Neanderthals.. In addition, processed bones of wild boars and elks were found here, which indicated what the ancient people ate..

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Deeper in the cave, scientists found shell beads, and a few days later - the remains of a baby. They were covered with dozens of shell beads and pendants, as well as the claw of an owl.. Scientists believe that some of the tools found in the cave were made tens of thousands of years before burial.. But they are sure that beads and shells were brought to decorate the grave.

Scientists analyzed Neve's DNA, studied proteins, as well as microscopic marks on her teeth and were able to determine the child's genetic line, his age at the time of death and gender.. Radiocarbon analysis confirmed that the girl died about 10 thousand years ago.

According to researchers, the ancient hunter-gatherers considered the newborn girl a full-fledged human. Jewelry found next to it testifies to its importance for the people who carried out the burial..

“There is a fairly large list of human burials made about 14,000 years ago.. But the last period of the Upper Paleolithic and the earliest part of the Mesolithic are less known when it comes to funeral rites.. Burials of babies are especially rare, so Neve provides important information to fill this gap, ”Hodgkins said..

It is worth noting that the Neve burial is not the oldest baby burial in the world.. So, in Alaska, the remains of two babies were found, whose age was 11,500 years.. Burial items were also buried with them, which indicated their importance for adults..

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Earlier, archaeologists discovered a mummy in Peru, which is believed to be 800 years old.. Her whole body was tied with ropes, and her hands covered her face..