Greek archaeologists find couple locked in millennia-old hug

Greek archaeologists find couple locked in millennia-old hug
In this undated handout photo released by the Greek Culture Ministry on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 shows the remains of a man and woman in their early twenties, buried as they died nearly 6,000 years ago - locked in a tight embrace in Diros, southern Greece. Such double burials are very uncommon, and this is the oldest of its kind in Greece, archaeologist Anastassia Papathanassiou told the Associated Press Friday. The discovery was made in 2013, but announced this week - just before Valentine’s Day. (AP Photo/Greek Culture Ministry)

Death did not part them.

Archaeologists in southern Greece have discovered the grave of a man and woman buried as they died some 5,800 years ago - still tightly embracing.

A senior member of the , Anastassia Papathanassiou, says the discovery - made in 2013 and publicized this week after DNA testing determined each 's sex - is the oldest of its kind in Greece. She says the couple most likely died holding each other.

Papathanassiou told The Associated Press on Friday that the remains of the couple, estimated to be in their 20s, were found near the Alepotrypa Cave, an important prehistoric site.

It's unclear how they died and whether they were related, but Papathanassiou says further DNA testing should answer the latter question.

© 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Greek archaeologists find couple locked in millennia-old hug (2015, February 14) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2015-02-greek-archaeologists-couple-millennia-old.html
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