From the well-preserved remains, scientists learned about the eating habits of the Neolithic people

"Mistress Betikovskaya", as scientists called her, was found near a village in the Uckermark region on

northeast Germany. According to local media reports, the skeleton was buried in a squatting position, one of the oldest known forms of burial.

Research showed that the woman was between 30 and45 years old and she died more than 5,000 years ago. All that was left of her were bones and some fragments of clothing, but researchers were still able to piece together some details of her life. 

According to anthropologist Bettina Jungklaus, it was inDuring the Neolithic period, people first included grains in their diet because they were easier to store than meat and also used as money. However, this led to a deterioration in the general health of the people of that period.

According to Jungklaus, this can be seen from the condition of the teeth: they are severely eroded and in some places are completely absent.

There is usually enamel on the surface of teeth.But here it is very worn out. This allows us to draw conclusions about her diet: it was probably very high in fiber, very hard. There are certain grains that cause mild tooth wear

Bettina Jungklaus, anthropologist and study author

It remains unclear whether the condition of the woman's teeth indicates an illness or even the cause of her death.

The researchers now hope to learn more about her life, including whether she came from the Uckermark region or immigrated there from elsewhere.

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