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Human skeletal remains from the Prehistoric site of Franjevac, Eastern Croatia

During the 2007 rescue excavations at the site of Franjevac in Slavonia, eastern Croatia the remains of prehistoric settlement containing various artefacts, animal and human remains have been found. On the basis of archaeological analysis of artefacts and radiocarbon dating to between 3340 and 2840 BC, the settlement is ascribed to Eneolithic Kostolac culture. Burials were found in three separate pits and belong to a total of six individuals. Pit 266 contained remains of an adult male aged between 20 and 35 years. Interestingly, the remains of two dogs were also found near the skeleton. Skeletal remains of an adult female aged between 35 and 50 years, and juvenile of between 5 and 10 years were found in pit 161. Pit 306 yielded remains of an adult male whose age could not be determined due to poor preservation, and skeletal parts of a juvenile younger than 5 years have been found. A series of radiocarbon dates directly on human bones yielded results of 2890-2830 BC (Beta 241651, Pit 266), 2900-2840 BC (Beta 241652, pit 161 female, and Beta 241653, pit 306, male), and 3090-3050 BC (Beta 233118, pit 161, juvenile). Among various skeletal pathologies, LEH, cribra orbitalia, periostitis, spondylolysis have been noted. As burials of Kostolac culture are quite rare and mostly found out-of-context, the analysis of human remains from Franjevac is a valuable addition to our understanding of the burial practices of central European Eneolithic.

Copper Age; Human Skeletal Remains; Bioarchaeology; Croatia

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