Archaeologists have made an enigmatic discovery at the ancient Mesopotamian site of Başur Höyük in southeastern Turkey: a significantly high number of adolescent remains buried in elaborate graves. The discovery, published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal, sheds new light on the social and political organization of Bronze Age Mesopotamia, contradicting long-held ᴀssumptions regarding the rise of early states.

Tomb that held 8 human sacrifices and the remains of two 12-year-olds from ancient Mesopotamia. Credit: D. Wengrow et al., Cambridge Archaeological Journal (2025)

The Başur Höyük, dating from between 3100 and 2800 BCE, was part of the broader Mesopotamian civilization. The site has been known for the existence of lavishly adorned burials, and archaeologists had already discovered a hoard of artifacts, including copper objects, beads, and textiles. These discoveries pointed to the fact that the site was inhabited by a socially complex population, possibly led by a hierarchical monarchy.

But a new skeletal analysis of the site material has shed further light on the nature of this ancient community. Scientists conducting DNA analysis of the remains unearthed from these tombs were surprised by a striking pattern: many of the individuals buried with the most opulent artifacts were teenage girls, particularly adolescents. David Wengrow, one of the researchers involved in the study, indicated that the findings show that these individuals were brought together from different groups.

The purpose of such burials is still not known. In earlier studies, archaeologists thought that such tombs might have been for young royals with their sacrificed attendants. The new evidence contradicts this theory. With DNA analysis, it was revealed that the corpses were not biologically related, and thus they would not have been members of a ruling family. Instead, they might have been part of an “age set,” a group of individuals of the same age who would have undergone some special pᴀssage rituals.

A selection of metallic, copper-base grave goods from Başur Höyük. Credit: D. Wengrow et al., Cambridge Archaeological Journal (2025)

Some scientists think that the sacrifices could have been part of a cult initiation, and the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ individuals were key figures in a rite of transition into adulthood. Others suggest that these graves are evidence of a more dynamic and fluid political structure than previously thought, with leadership and governance potentially alternating between hierarchical and egalitarian systems.

Wengrow believes that the burial practices at Başur Höyük show that political and social structures in early Mesopotamia were more flexible than long ᴀssumed.

Contrasting ᴀssemblages of beadwork ᴀssociated with burials inside (grave 15) and outside (grave 17) a cist tomb. Credit: D. Wengrow et al., Cambridge Archaeological Journal (2025)

The fact that fine clothing and imported materials are found within the tombs makes the situation complicated. The deceased wore intricate bead ornaments and were fastened with metal pins, which suggests the attire was symbolic and not merely functional. This attention to ritualized dressing reinforces the idea that these individuals occupied significant positions within their social hierarchy, perhaps as initiands, chosen elites, or victims of inter-society hostilities.

The study also challenges the traditional theory that early Bronze Age societies were experiencing a unilineal development from small-scale egalitarian societies to large, rigidly stratified states. Instead, the evidence at Başur Höyük suggests a more cyclical or seasonal shift between different forms of governance.

Further research is ongoing to study additional remains and artifacts from the site, with archaeologists hoping to gain more insight into the lives and deaths of these teenagers.

More information: Wengrow D, Hᴀssett B, Sağlamtimur H, et al. (2025). Inequality at the Dawn of the Bronze Age: The Case of Başur Höyük, a ‘Royal’ Cemetery at the Margins of the Mesopotamian World. Cambridge Archaeological Journal: 1- 12. doi:10.1017/S0959774324000398