In ancient Bavaria, a toddler with striking blue eyes, renowned as the "Ice Prince," was laid to rest 1,350 years ago, accompanied by a sword and a piglet.
Awe-Inspiring discoveries in Bavaria's past: the "Ice Prince" unveiled
Step back in time with the fascinating story of the "Ice Prince," a blue-eyed boy interred with unparalleled riches in Bavaria, Germany, around 1,300 years ago. This little fellow, tragically taken from us at around eighteen months old, hailed from a wealthy local family and met his end due to a chronic infection. Archaeologists from the German state of Bavaria have unveiled a treasure trove of details surrounding this captivating find. Let's delve into the remarkable tale of this ancient toddler!
The remains of the "Ice Prince" were found near the small town of Mattsies in 2021, unearthed amidst the relics of a Roman-age villa during construction preparations. This villa seemed to have been repurposed as a burial ground for the young prince, possibly as a gesture of respect for his family.
The villa stood south of the Upper Germanic Limes, a historic Roman frontier, though by the time of the "Ice Prince"'s demise, the Western Roman Empire had already crumbled in the region, giving way to Germanic tribes. Yet, the wealth in the boy's funeral suggests a lingering Roman influence in this post-imperial era.
A Life of Luxury
The boy's tomb contained an assortment of valuable items, such as a diminutive sword, silk garments, and a lavish gold cross. These findings lead archaeologists to believe that the young prince came from a locally influential family. Other standout features of his well-appointed burial include silver bracelets on his arms, silver spurs adorning his shoes, and a garment made from linen, trimmed with silk—a rarity at the time, as silk was primarily restricted to the Byzantine Empire.
The child's grave goods were so well preserved due to the tightly sealed grave that archaeologists called it "excellent condition." To guarantee this pristine state, the state government archaeologists decided to flash freeze the entire burial chamber using liquid nitrogen over the course of 14 hours. By maintaining a chilly -320°F (-196°C), this cutting-edge technique prevented the formation of destructive ice crystals.
A Broken Life
As heartrending as it is fascinating, the "Ice Prince's" tale ends in tragedy. Infant mortality rates were high in his era, but the manner of his passing leaves us with an enduring mystery. By examining his remains and conducting radiocarbon dating, researchers estimate that he passed away around 670-680 AD. An analysis of his teeth's enamel indicates that he grew up in the region and was nourished primarily on breast milk. The cause of his untimely death, however, remains elusive. He was found to have succumbed to a chronic infection, but the precise nature of this affliction is still unknown.
The "Ice Prince" has captured the imagination of archaeologists and the public alike, shedding light on a period in history heretofore shrouded in mystery. The lavish nature of his burial, the preservation of his remains, and the details of the artifacts discovered in his tomb all contribute to a captivating tale of life, wealth, and early medieval Bavaria.
Sources:
- Ancient Origins, "Research uncovers details of 'Ice Prince' burial in Germany," August 23, 2022. https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/headline-278389
- Science News, "Excavation using flash freezing reveals 7th-century German toddler's tomb," August 24, 2022. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/flash-freezing-ski-prince-7th-century-german-toddler-tomb-archaeology
- The Washington Post, "Blue-eyed ‘luxury child’ from 7th century Germany reveals secrets from early medieval Europe," August 23, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/08/23/blue-eyed-luxury-child-from-7th-century-germany-reveals-secrets-from-early-medieval-europe/
- BBC News, "'Ice Prince' tot was born locally, DNA analysis suggests," August 23, 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-62620405
Dive Deeper:
- 1,800-year-old warhorse cemetery unearthed with offerings to a beloved horse and an "outsider" to Roman society. https://www.livescience.com/warhorse-cemetery-roman-britain-rituals
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Unraveling the 'Ice Prince's' sword, scabbard, and belt
Latest research has renewed interest in the items found buried with the toddler. The "Ice Prince" was laid to rest with a small sword and scabbard adorning a richly decorated leather belt. Moreover, elaborate silver bracelets and silver spurs attached to his shoes spoke volumes about his well-to-do upbringing. Since the average toddler takes its first steps between 8 to 18 months, the brave little fighter may have been one of the first to embark on this new adventure!
The Burial
The burial chamber was a imposing stone structure, fitted with a fur blanket for a cozy resting place. One of the boy's garments was a long-sleeved shirt, crafted from linen and enhanced by delicate strips of silk. At the time, silk was emblematic of wealth, exclusively available through the Byzantine Empire.
The child was buried with numerous other treasures, including a cloth cross embellished with intricate gold thread and a bronze basin. A comb, a wooden bowl, a drinking cup with silver fittings, and a woven mat at the foot of the body rounded off this breathtaking display. Furthermore, a feast was laid out nearby, complete with apples, hazelnuts, and a pear. Archaeologists also discovered the remnants of a piglet that may have been cooked as a food offering.
The "Ice Prince's" burial chamber yielded other fascinating revelations. It appears that the building was renovated twice after the burial, indicating that the site was used as a place of remembrance for a significant time period.
** curious to know more?**
- First-century burial reveals the grave of a Roman doctor buried with medical tools, including "top-quality" scalpels. https://www.livescience.com/anthropology-burial-ground-roman-doctor-medical-tools.html
- Archaeologists uncover rare liquid gypsum burial of a high-status individual from Roman Britain. https://www.insider.com/roman-burial-remains-uncovered-in-uk-2022-2
- Remains of Roman mercenary and beheaded victim found at ancient site in the UK. https://www.insider.com/roman-remains-found-chester-archaeology-beheaded-2021-11
- Despite his unexpected and tragic end, the "Ice Prince" lived a life of luxury, surrounded by lavish artifacts such as a diminutive sword, silk garments, and a gold cross, indicating his noble lineage.
- The exquisite preservation of the "Ice Prince's" remains, together with the discoveries made in his tomb, offer intriguing insights into post-imperial Germany and early medieval Bavaria.
