9,500-year-old cremation of a mystery woman in Malawi baffles archaeologists

Archaeologists in Malawi unearthed the world's earliest known intentional adult cremation, dating back 9,500 years. This discovery at Hora 1 challenges previous understandings of early funeral rituals, suggesting complex practices among African hunter-gatherers. The careful handling of the remains indicates a significant individual, prompting new questions about ancient social structures and memory-making.

9,500-year-old cremation of a mystery woman in Malawi baffles archaeologists
Archaeologists in Malawi unearthed the world's earliest known intentional adult cremation, dating back 9,500 years. This discovery at Hora 1 challenges previous understandings of early funeral rituals, suggesting complex practices among African hunter-gatherers. The careful handling of the remains indicates a significant individual, prompting new questions about ancient social structures and memory-making.