25 December 2024

Dutch archaeologists I recently found a creepy, centuries-old floor made of… Animal bones In an unusual neighborhood.

The discovery was announced on December 13 by Heritage Alkmaar, an archaeological organization within the municipality of Alkmaar in the northern Netherlands. The floor was found in a 16th-century building in Akhterdam, the red light district of Alkmaar.

While the house was built around 1609, Heritage Alkmaar said it believes the floor may be even older – perhaps an earlier foundation built in the 15th century. In a Facebook post translated from Dutch to English, the organization explained that the bone floor came as a surprise to archaeologists.

“(The ancient floor) is not very distinctive, but what is striking is that the tiles have disappeared in some places and that those places are filled with a floor made of bones,” Heritage Alkmaar wrote.

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Segmented image of cattle and floor bones

Dutch archaeologists recently found a strange 16th-century floor made of animal bones. (Arfgood Alkmaar via Facebook)

Officials say all the bones found on the ground came from livestock. Before this discovery, floors made of animal bones had only been found in the Dutch cities of Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Edam.

“This type of flooring is rarely found, and so far only in the northern Netherlands,” the archaeological organization said. “So (this is) a very special discovery.”

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General view of the construction site

Dutch archaeologists believe the floor may date back 600 years, and consists of cattle bones. (Arfgood Alkmaar via Facebook)

Heritage Alkmaar also noted that the bones on the floor were cut at “exactly the same height.”

The organization added: “It appears that the bones were simply used as filler for holes in the ground, but there appears to be a pattern.”

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Exterior view of the red light district house

The bone floor was found in a 16th-century house in the Red Light District. (Arfgood Alkmaar via Facebook)

“In one plane are the bones with the upper side above, and in the other plane with the sawn down side of the bone.”

Archaeologist Nancy DeYoung said in a statement that she was “very happy” to see the archaeological discovery.

Bones in the ground

Officials say the bones found on the floor were intended for stuffing. (Arfjoud Alkmaar via Facebook)

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“It remains a privilege every time to have something revealed from someone A long time ago And to add new information to the history of Alkmaar.”

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