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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Oldest-Known Nuclear Family Unearthed

Murdered Stone Age family found buried in group hug

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(Newser) – The oldest nuclear family ever discovered has been found in a group hug in a Stone Age burial site, the Independent reports. Genetic testing revealed that the four skeletons buried in each other's arms at the site in Germany were a father, mother, and their two young sons. All had died violently and were buried at the same time.

The grave is the oldest evidence scientists have found of families living in a unit familiar to us today, said the researchers, whose discovery is detailed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The arrangement of the bodies, different from earlier Neolithic finds, suggests that family members were killed in a raid by a rival tribe and buried by survivors who knew the family connection, researchers explained. "Their unity in death suggests a unity in life."

The remains of the family of four held evidence, including injuries to the hands and forearms, that indicate they died violently at the same time.
The remains of the family of four held evidence, including injuries to the hands and forearms, that indicate they died violently at the same time.   (Shutter Stock)
The earliest evidence ever discovered of people living as a nuclear family has been found at at Stone Age burial site in Germany.
The earliest evidence ever discovered of people living as a nuclear family has been found at at Stone Age burial site in Germany.   (Shutter Stock)
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By establishing genetic links between the adults and children buried together, we have established the presence of the classic nuclear family in a prehistoric context in central Europe. Their unity in death suggests a unity in life. - Researcher Wolfgang Haak

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3 comments
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morenogabr
Nov 18, 08 6:28 AM CST
Nuclear family? I love how much fun journalists have writing about scientific discoveries. Reply
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petepenguin
Nov 20, 08 1:56 AM CST
Or maybe it was an early mass grave for four totally unrelated people who were murdered at the same time. Reply
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badbox
Dec 15, 08 2:49 PM CST
Sorry pete, if you read the article it says "Genetic testing revealed that the four skeletons... were a father, mother, and their two young sons." Family of four. Reply
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Abstract of the journal article
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Scientist piece together tale of murdered family
New York Times

Prehistoric nuclear family found
Reuters

Find could help reveal the roots of societies
Guardian (UK)


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archaeology • family • skeleton • nuclear family • Stone Age • neolithic period

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