In 2004, an extraordinary grave was discovered during construction work in the area of the so-called eastern burial ground of the ancient Roman city of Ovilava—today’s Wels in Upper Austria. At first assessment, experts also thought it was an early medieval double tomb of a married couple and a horse due to the unusual features of the grave.
Though their remains were discovered in 2004, it’s only recently that they’ve been identified as a mother and daughter. This extraordinary find represents a first for Austria, and offers a unique look at what life was like for ancient Romans living in the country some 1,700 years ago.
Uncovering The Mother-Daughter Grave In Austria
The archaeologists were initially excavating a section of the cemetery that was thought to contain burials from the early medieval period. However, as they dug deeper, they came across a grave that was unlike any they had seen before.
The two individuals were found lying in an embrace, and their skeletal remains suggested that they were an adult woman and a young woman. The horse was positioned next to the women, and its skeletal remains were well-preserved.
The archaeologists were immediately intrigued by this unusual burial. They carefully excavated the remains and the grave goods, and they began to study the find in order to learn more about the lives and deaths of the three individuals.
Genetic Evidence Unveils Family Ties Mother-Daughter Bond
While initial assumptions suggested that the two individuals were a pair of medieval lovers, further analysis of the skeletal remains revealed a much more profound connection.
For starters, radiocarbon dating of the grave placed its origins in the 2nd to 3rd century CE, making it significantly older than initially estimated—by approximately 500 years. This reclassification places the burial firmly within the Roman period. Furthermore, genetic analysis conducted on the human remains identified the individuals as a mother and her daughter, marking the first genetically confirmed double burial of 1st-degree relatives from the Roman period in Austria.
Osteological examinations, combined with ancient DNA analysis, not only confirmed the biological sex of the individuals but also suggested a familial link between them. The mother, aged approximately 40 to 60, and her daughter, aged around 20 to 25, were laid to rest together alongside the horse. The older woman exhibited skeletal features indicative of frequent horseback riding, hinting at a possible reason for the horse’s inclusion in the burial—a testament to the mother’s love for equestrian pursuits and likely high social status within Roman society.
The mother and daughter were also buried with grave goods: two golden pendants, one in the shape of a crescent moon, one in the shape of a wheel. These pieces of jewelry also date to the second century C.E, further affirmed the Roman origins of the burial.
A Window into Roman Society and Culture
The discovery of the Roman grave containing a mother, daughter, and horse unveils profound insights into the dynamics of Roman society and culture. This unique burial challenges conventional notions and offers a glimpse into the intricate relationships and status hierarchies of the time.
The burial practices observed, particularly the interment of the mother and daughter together, signify a profound bond between the two women. In Roman society, such double burials were uncommon and typically reserved for individuals with exceptional familial ties or status. The presence of the horse further emphasizes the significance of this bond, suggesting a familial connection that extended beyond the ordinary.
Moreover, the DNA evidence confirming the mother-daughter relationship marks a groundbreaking discovery. This genetic confirmation, a first for Roman burials in Austria, underscores the centrality of family ties in Roman social structure. It not only validates the importance of kinship but also underscores the depth of emotional connections within Roman households.
The inclusion of the horse in the grave unveils layers of societal complexity. Horses held immense cultural and symbolic value in Roman society, often associated with power, prestige, and elite status. Their presence in burials was typically reserved for individuals of high rank or wealth. Thus, the horse’s inclusion hints at the elevated social standing of the mother and daughter. This challenges traditional perceptions of Roman women as solely confined to domestic roles, suggesting that some women may have wielded influence and enjoyed privileges within their communities.
The discovery of this Roman-era grave offers a nuanced understanding of familial relationships, social hierarchies, and the role of women in ancient Roman society. It underscores the diversity and complexity of Roman life while prompting further exploration into the lives of individuals who shaped the cultural landscape of their time.
