Seven thousand years ago a man and a woman were buried here in Oberkassel. Their graves were meticulously prepared. Red pigment adorned the earth. Carefully placed stones surrounded their bodies. This is the Bonn-Oberkassel double burial. It’s one of the oldest known graves in Germany. It is located in what is now the modern suburb of Oberkassel.
Oberkassel a suburb of Bonn lies on the Rhine’s right bank. It sits nestled at the edge of the Siebengebirge mountains. Its name Oberkassel meaning upper castle hints at a Roman fortification. Over time the name evolved from Römerkastell. Oberkassel incorporated other settlements. Berghoven B ücchel Broich and Meerhausen joined Oberkassel’s story.
This special place wasn’t always a residential area. Basalt quarrying shaped Oberkassel’s landscape. In 1914 a quarry unearthed a remarkable discovery. Workers found the double burial. Along with the skeletons of a man and a woman they found a dog. This was the Bonn-Oberkassel dog. Carbon dating revealed the age. It was around 13300 to 14000 years old. Scientists later confirmed the dog wasn’t a wolf. It was Canis lupus familiaris a domestic dog. This discovery is significant. It’s one of the oldest undisputed records of domesticated dogs. Archaeologists also found grave goods. There was an antler carving perhaps an elk. They also found an animal bone staff.
The skeletons themselves are fascinating. The man was about 40-50 years old. He stood approximately 5’4″ to 5’5″ tall. His teeth show significant wear. The woman was around 25. She stood around 5’2″ to 5’3″. She’d given birth at least once. Isotope analysis of their teeth revealed interesting details. Both grew up in different locations. They both consumed seeds from northern Scandinavia as children. This suggests Scandinavia served as a refuge for these hunter-gatherers during a cold period.
The Bonn-Oberkassel double burial provides invaluable insight into early humans. It reveals aspects of their lives their diets their beliefs. The presence of the dog offers evidence of early domestication. The burial site is a window into the past. It offers a glimpse into the lives of early inhabitants of this area now known as Oberkassel. These discoveries reshape our understanding of Mesolithic societies. They were more complex than previously thought.
Today Oberkassel is a vibrant community. Yet the echoes of its ancient past remain. The double burial serves as a reminder. It serves as a testament to the rich and layered history of this fascinating place. Oberkassel.