Remains of newborn child who died 5000 years ago found in Orkney

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The remains of a newborn child who died 5000 years ago have been found by archaeologists in Orkney.

August 25, 2015. The bones were discovered earlier this week during a dig at the Ness of Brodgar, a prehistoric site near the town of Stromess.

Experts described their condition as “remarkable” but could not say whether they belonged to a boy or a girl.

They added that the “careful” burial the newborn was given was unusual for an era when so many children died at a young age.

A spokesman for the Ness of Brodgar excavation said: “Five thousand years ago, a child who died at or near birth was buried [there].

"The discovery was made by Andy Boyar, an experienced excavator who was digging at the south end of a building.

“The fragile skeleton was lying on its side in a flexed position and Andy excavated them with exquisite care. They have been gently cleaned and laid out to see how much of the skeleton has survived.

“The preservation of the bones is remarkable. Even with adult skeletons on archaeological sites it is very easy to miss the small bones of the hands and feet. [...] stv.tv