The discovery of a lynx buried with four dogs at an early-medieval settlement in Hungary is confounding archaeologists, as these wild cats are rarely found in archaeological digs.

The fifth-to-sixth-century pit, which was about 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) deep, contained a complete lynx skeleton at the bottom and the skeletons of four dogs — the size of present-day pointers or German shepherds — layered on top of it. Possible interpretations of the unique find, such as a hunting accident and a lynx cult, are detailed in a new study published March 21 in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.

  • @BigMikeInAustin
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    132 months ago

    So, the Hungarian prankster 1500 years ago succeeded?

  • @[email protected]
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    122 months ago

    The lynx tripped into a hole and the 4 dogs chasing it comically tripped in the exact same exaggerated manner, one after another.

    • @Subnet64
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      62 months ago

      Thinking pet pit. Dig 1 deep hole and then bury as they die.

    • Devi
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      12 months ago

      This really seems the obvious answer

  • @Grimy
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    2 months ago

    Can a Lynx kill four dogs? Seems like a hunt gone wrong.

    • @[email protected]
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      32 months ago

      That’s what I’m thinking. The lynx took down those dogs before finally being overpowered, and the dogs’ handler(s) buried them all together to show respect for the impressive fight that the lynx put up.

  • @[email protected]
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    22 months ago

    “our rather special find is indeed the ‘missing lynx’ in this story,” Bartosiewicz said.

    Oh, you!