While there were
many
elite
burials
uncovered, there was
one in particular that
stood out amongst the
rest – grave 43. Inside
grave 43, archaeologists uncovered the
remains of a high status male who appears
to have been a ruler/
leader of some kind –
more gold was found
within this burial than
in the entire rest of
the world in that period. The male was buried with a scepter – a
symbol of high rank or
spiritual power – and
wore a sheath of solid
gold over his penis.
The burial is incredibly significant as it is
the first known elite
male burial in Europe.
Prior to this, it was the
Grave 43, Eneolithic necropolis – Varna,
late Eneolithic period
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“Grave 43, Eneolithic necropolis – Varna” Photo credit: Varna Regional Museum of History is licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Grave 43