Bien Carel
Works

Archeological Discovery of a Transmasculine Body (2024)



“A Rare Discovery Has Been Made by Archeologists Possibly Changing What We Know of Civilization”

Recently, a new discovery was made. Multiple rare artefacts were found together, making it one of the most uncommon archeological findings to be discovered in Europe. It is known that deceased people were often buried with items that would accommodate them in the afterlife, and signify their status. Some of these objects include jewelry, tool, and tableware. The combination of items can be used by archeologists to determine from which time period a grave stems, as well as the gender, age, and social class of the person that has been buried.

With the recent discovery, researchers are not fully sure whether it is a grave, as no body was found, or remainders of a body. However, it can be said with certainty that the burial of the objects was part of a ceremony; and that this ceremony was held in relation to a certain person or a certain event. 

Considering the rare nature of the found artifacts, it will most likely be years before researchers can draw any conclusions about their finding. Reason being, their hypothesis would change the narrative concerning societal structures, specifically in relation to gender. It contradicts everything what up until now had been known and substantiated through archeological research. While the study is in the very beginning stage,  the combination of objects, has led researchers to believe that a certain fluidity of gender was present. They have not published any concrete facts about this yet. Also in consideration, whether it applies to a singular person, or perhaps a specific society.

So what do we know about the artefacts? As they are all in relatively good condition, it allows for extensive research into the personal information, as well as societal division of then and now. The combination of items is unusual. The different objects all range from masculine to feminine in material, usage, and subject. Certain items have previously mostly been found in a grave of a man. For example, one of the items found is a shield. The shield has been used, as it contains multiple damages. Most prominently, on the area of the chest. It seems possible, that the person using this shield was hit twice with a sword on the shield at chest height. The shield also has a date on the back: 09/10/2024. This has given researchers an indication to the time period from which all items date, as well as possible age of the person whose shield it was.

Other items that were found, are a collection of ceramic cups. While ceramic vessels have previously been found in a variety of graves, and do not indicate a specific gender; one of the cups has a very peculiar form. It seems to indicate the form of genitals. However, it showcases unfamiliar proportions, differentiating from the female anatomy as well as the male anatomy.  Other objects, which were found and do not indicate specific gender, are a clothing item and a sort of used cloth.

There is one object which includes a photo of a person and some written information. It seems to suggest a specific identification of someone. However, the information is unreadable and can most likely not be restored anymore. The photo showcases a young person. The characteristics seem to be androgenous.  Their hair is half long, which in the time period this grave dates from, was a bit more common for young girls. Nevertheless, there were also many young boys who had this hair. In addition, the photo is a bit distorted which means conclusions on the bone structure cannot be established.  


The research will continue over the coming years, also in comparison to other findings. It is now expected that new results will be published during the process, and combined once the researchers finish their conclusions. They are anticipating the research to challenge earlier research, questioning conclusions that were drawn about the binarity of gender, as well as societal roles.