New evidence suggests a volcanic eruption around 2,900 BCE caused a 'volcanic winter' in Northern Europe, leading to widespread climate disruption and impacting Neolithic societies. Researchers linked this disaster to the use of symbolic 'sun stones' found at the Vasagård site in Denmark, believed to be part of ritual practices aimed at appeasing the sun. The study highlights how these communities adapted their cultural practices and beliefs in response to the challenges posed by the climate crisis and plague.
New evidence suggests that a volcanic eruption around 2,900 BCE had devastating impacts on Neolithic societies in Northern Europe, altering their rituals and lifestyles.Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, and other institutions have linked this climate disaster to the widespread use of symbolic “ sun stones ,” now believed to be part of ritual practices aimed at appeasing the sun.
Iversen and his team propose that these sacrifices were attempts to restore favorable conditions or to express gratitude as the sun returned. “It is reasonable to believe that the Neolithic people on Bornholm wanted to protect themselves from further deterioration of the climate by sacrificing sun stones – or perhaps they wanted to show their gratitude that the sun had returned again.”Cultural shifts amid crisisThe volcanic eruption was not the only challenge Neolithic societies faced.
History VOLCANIC ERUPTION NEOLITHIC CULTURE RITUAL PRACTICES SUN STONES CLIMATE CHANGE
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