A Breathtaking Discovery
As Mother’s Day approaches, archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable find that transcends time – the ancient remains of a young mother and an infant child locked in a 4,800-year-old embrace. Among the 48 sets of remains unearthed from graves in Taiwan, including the fossils of five children, this maternal moment stands out as a testament to the enduring bond between a mother and her child.
Stone Age Relics Unveiled
The excavation, which began in May 2014 and took a year to complete, revealed these Stone Age relics as the earliest sign of human activity found in central Taiwan. Preserved for nearly 5,000 years, the skeleton found in the Taichung area shows a young mother gazing down at the baby cradled in her arms, a sight that left researchers stunned.
Tracing Back to the Neolithic Age
Turning to carbon dating, the researchers traced the ages of the fossils back to the Neolithic Age, a period within the Stone Age. The mother, standing at just 160 cm (5 foot 2 inches) tall, held the 50 cm (just over a foot-and-a-half) infant in her arms, a moment frozen in time for millennia.
A Timeless Bond
This breathtaking discovery came as a surprise to the researchers on site, but it is not the first of its kind. In the past, archaeologists have unearthed similar remains, preserving maternal moments that have endured for thousands of years.
A Parallel Discovery
Notably, Chinese archaeologists unearthed the interlocked skeletons of a mother and child last year from an Early Bronze Age archaeological site branded the ‘Pompeii of the East.’ The mother is thought to have been trying to protect her child during a powerful earthquake that hit Qinghai province, central China, around 2,000 BC.
Conclusion
These remarkable discoveries serve as a poignant reminder of the timeless bond between a mother and her child, transcending the boundaries of time and culture. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us honor the unwavering love and protection that mothers have bestowed upon their children throughout human history.
