On the Danish island of Bornholm, hundreds of flat slate stones adorned with intriguing geographic patterns, many resembling the sun, have been unearthed. These ”sun stones,” dating back to the Neolithic period around 2900 BC, have long puzzled archaeologists. A recent theory connects these artifacts to a catastrophic volcanic eruption, evidenced in ice core samples from Greenland, that would have drastically altered the climate and threatened the very survival of early agricultural communities. This discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs and practices of these early farmers and their desperate attempts to appease the forces of nature they couldn’t understand.
The sun played a central role in the lives of early agricultural societies in Northern Europe. Their entire existence revolved around the cycle of seasons and successful harvests, making them acutely vulnerable to any prolonged disruption of sunlight. A volcanic eruption of significant magnitude, spewing ash and aerosols into the stratosphere, could have triggered a “volcanic winter,” drastically reducing sunlight and causing widespread crop failure. Rune Iversen, an archaeologist at the University of Copenhagen, suggests that the prolonged dimming of the sun caused by a stratospheric haze would have been a terrifying experience for these communities, who were entirely dependent on the sun’s life-giving energy.
The Greenland ice cores provide compelling evidence of a major volcanic eruption coinciding with the period of the sun stones. While the precise location of the eruption remains unknown, researchers believe it was likely comparable in scale to the eruption in 43 BC. That eruption, though originating in Alaska, had far-reaching consequences, disrupting agriculture around the Mediterranean and leading to famine and disease as documented by both Greek and Roman writers. The researchers propose that a similar scenario unfolded 2900 years prior, impacting the Neolithic communities of Bornholm.
The discovery of the sun stones led researchers to theorize that these artifacts might represent a desperate attempt by the people of Bornholm to cope with the devastating consequences of the volcanic eruption. The sun’s disappearance, or significant dimming, would have been interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure, prompting them to offer these symbolic representations of the sun as sacrifices. Alternatively, the stones could be expressions of gratitude for the sun’s eventual return, signifying the restoration of balance and hope for renewed prosperity. The intricately carved patterns, echoing the sun’s radiant form, underscore the profound importance of this celestial body in their worldview.
This period of environmental upheaval appears to have been compounded by a devastating outbreak of plague. DNA analysis of skeletal remains from the same era on Bornholm reveals evidence of the disease, suggesting that the population faced multiple, simultaneous threats. The combined impact of a volcanic winter and a deadly epidemic would have placed immense strain on these communities, potentially leading to social disruption, widespread suffering, and perhaps even significant population decline. This grim picture paints a vivid image of the challenges faced by early agricultural societies and their struggle for survival in the face of unpredictable and often devastating natural events.
The sun stones of Bornholm, therefore, offer a powerful window into the past, providing insights into the spiritual beliefs and societal responses of Neolithic communities confronting a dramatic and potentially cataclysmic environmental crisis. These artifacts, once enigmatic, now take on a new significance, representing not simply artistic expression but a poignant testament to human resilience and the enduring power of belief in the face of adversity. The connection to a major volcanic eruption provides a compelling narrative framework for understanding their creation and use, while simultaneously highlighting the interconnectedness of human societies and the natural world, even in the distant past. Further research promises to shed even more light on this fascinating chapter of prehistory and the interplay of environmental change, cultural adaptation, and human ingenuity.
