Archaeologists aren't sure why a lynx and four dogs were buried together in Hungary around 1,500 years ago.

The discovery of a lynx buried with four dogs at an early-medieval settlement in Hungary is confounding archaeologists, as these wild cats are rarely found in archaeological digs.

The fifth-to-sixth-century pit, which was about 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) deep, contained a complete lynx skeleton at the bottom and the skeletons of four dogs — the size of present-day pointers or German shepherds — layered on top of it. Possible interpretations of the unique find, such as a hunting accident and a lynx cult, are detailed in a new study published March 21 in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.

  • @SynthuirEnglish
    3•1 month ago

    That’s what I’m thinking. The lynx took down those dogs before finally being overpowered, and the dogs’ handler(s) buried them all together to show respect for the impressive fight that the lynx put up.