A recent archaeological study suggests that Neolithic sacrifices in Denmark may have been tied to a massive volcanic eruption in 2910 B.C. On the Danish island of Bornholm, researchers discovered hundreds of stone plaques carved with sun and plant designs, believed to have been offerings during a time of environmental crisis.
The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, offer new insights into how ancient communities responded to natural disasters.
Researchers uncovered 614 stone plaques and fragments in a ditch surrounded by wooden fences in Bornholm, located in the Baltic Sea south of Sweden.
An analysis of pottery styles and radiocarbon-dated charcoal found nearby indicates that the stones were placed there deliberately around 2900 B.C., likely during a time of great social and environmental upheaval.
Materials and designs
Most of the plaques were made from black shale, a flaky, dark rock on the island. A smaller number were crafted from quartz and flint. The stones feature intricate carvings of sun motifs and plant-like designs, symbols tied to agricultural cycles and survival.
“These depositions could have been made during a time of stress with the purpose of bringing back the sun and re-establishing agricultural production,” the researchers wrote in the study. They also suggested the stones may have been offerings of gratitude, marking the end of a crisis.
Connection to a volcanic eruption
The timing aligns with a volcanic eruption in 2910 B.C., which is believed to have caused widespread climate disruptions across the Northern Hemisphere. Cooler temperatures and erratic weather patterns would have negatively impacted harvests, creating significant challenges for farming communities reliant on stable conditions.
While similar “sun stones” have been found on Bornholm in the past, the sheer number discovered at this site is unprecedented. The findings suggest a collective response to the environmental crisis, reflecting the central role of the sun in Neolithic life.
Cultural shifts in Bornholm
Shortly after the stones were buried, the researchers noted significant cultural shifts on the island. People stopped constructing large tombs, began building fortified settlements, and developed new social connections with neighboring Scandinavian communities. These changes point to a society adapting to a new reality, likely shaped by the challenges of the time.
The enduring significance of the sun
Despite these transformations, the symbolic importance of the sun appears to have endured. “It is quite simply an incredible discovery,” said Lasse Vilien Sørensen, an archaeologist at the National Museum of Denmark and co-author of the study.
“(It) demonstrates that depositions honouring the sun is an ancient phenomenon, which we encounter again in South Scandinavia during the climate disaster caused by a volcanic eruption in the year 536 AD.”
The study highlights how ancient communities used symbolic actions to navigate crises, underscoring the enduring connection between nature, survival, and cultural traditions.