For the general state, the state has the right to take over and protect the relics excavated by archaeology, but this common sense does not work in Germany. The state of Bavaria in Germany does not recognize the archaeological power of the state.
German archaeologists have made a new discovery in a cornfield in the Lower Franconia district of Bavaria-the skeletal remains of an adult male ancient human whose history can be traced back to the mid-Neolithic period.
The remains were buried in soil less than 40 cm (16 inches) deep. Fortunately, although corn was planted not far above his body, the bones of this ancient man were very well protected and the overall structure was almost complete. There were no traces of oxidation on the finger bones and toe bones, and his teeth still remained pearly white.
The cornfield on which the remains were found covers an area of 20 acres. It was bought by a winery and was preparing to build a new brewing workshop. Before the construction of the new workshop started, archaeologists conducted rescue excavations on the remains. Experts gave him the very German name "Fred". When he was buried, he was lying on his side with his legs curled up in a kneeling position and his hands were natural. Drooping, there are stone axes and grains as burial objects beside him. According to paleoanthropologists, Fred was a young man in his 20s and 30s who lived 6,500 years ago.
Archeologists explained Fred’s burial method, “The bent-leg burial posture was a very common burial posture in the Neolithic Age in Bavaria. According to certain beliefs, this posture may be used to imitate human birth or sleep. Looks like". In fact, in our country, the bent-leg burial posture is called side-bending burial, and the position of the deceased’s head facing is considered to be the place where the tribe or the ancestors of the ethnic group are located.
Usually, after the tomb is recorded in detail, the bones are numbered to collect samples, but Fred’s remains are handled in a special way. Because it is located in Bavaria, according to the law, archaeologists need to "transfer" the bones and the soil around it and transport them to Munich for more detailed research in the laboratory.
Why should we take Fred away? Because of the wonderful laws of Bavaria. Bavaria is the only state in Germany that does not recognize state land management rights. Here, landowners, not the state, rule on archaeological discoveries. This means that the winery decides whether to keep Fred and other things unearthed with him. However, if they keep the Neolithic skeleton, they will have to protect the discovery out of their own pockets, which is an extremely costly decision.
It was discovered that Fred had postponed the construction plan of the new brewery's new workshop, and that the protection of the entire archaeological site had just begun, and the excavation cost alone would cost 2 million euros. So the winery asked the archaeologists to "shovel away" Fred. They didn't want to spend a penny on the "old boy" 6,500 years ago.
