Wer Stört Gräber? Grabstörungen ohne Graböffnungen
Whodunnit? – Disturbed graves in early medieval cemeteries

Summary/Abstract: Graves disturbed in antiquity are a common feature in any period in which inhumation burial was practised. Disturbances of early medieval graves are often interpreted as human interference. Excavations at the Langobardic-period cemetery at Szólád (Kom. Somogy) in 2005–2007, however, indicated that the role of burrowing animals should not be underestimated. Excellent soil conditions demonstrated that at least 10% of the graves were disturbed by burrowing animals whose activities displaced bones and grave-goods. In this particular case, badgers, who are known to inhabit warrens for several generations and for extending them to a depth of 5 metres, are the most likely suspects.

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