Did She Wear a Face Mask? Osteoarchaeological Analysis of Burial from the Early Bronze Age Settlement in Zbehy
2020
Abstract
The osteoarchaeological study analyses and attempts to interpret an unusual find from an Early Bronze Age settlement burial in Zbehy (Nitra district, Slovakia). An artefact made of hollow bone shafts of birds and a hare was discovered on the face of a female aged 35-45 years.
The woman probably suffered from chronic rhinosinusitis and severe dental problems, implying that the artefact may have served as a face mask. Due to the lack of archaeological analogies, the interpretation of the function of the artefact from Zbehy remains open for discussion.