The mass grave contains the remains of over 77 murdered individuals, mostly women and children. Mass graves are unfortunately common across ancient locations around the world, with many prehistoric examples dotting present-day Europe. While these burial sites frequently include the remains of closely related victims, Gomolava houses a notably different situation. “It is typical in prehistoric mass graves for victims to be hastily buried together in a pit, maybe by survivors or even their killers,” said Molloy. According to study co-author and University of Copenhagen archaeologist Hannes Schroeder, the violence may also have explicitly targeted women in children as a way to sever family lineages and weaken rival communities.