A 9,000-year-old pregnant woman's skeleton found in Sweden

A 9,000-year-old pregnant woman's skeleton found in Sweden

10.08.2026 14:50

During excavations in the Suder Vagnhus cave on the island of Lilla Karlsö off the coast of Gotland, Sweden, a 9,000-year-old skeleton of a pregnant young woman was discovered, with a well-preserved fetus in the uterine region. Archaeologists noted that this is one of the oldest and best-preserved examples of a fetus in the world; excavations continue to investigate the woman's origins and burial rituals.

During excavation work on Lilla Karlsö Island, located off the coast of Sweden's Gotland Island, a 9,000-year-old skeleton of a pregnant woman was found. According to Swedish public radio SR's report, remains belonging to a pregnant young woman were discovered during excavations in the Suder Vagnhus cave on Lilla Karlsö Island.

Archaeologists detected an extremely well-preserved fetus in the young woman's uterine region and reported that the remains are approximately 9,000 years old.

A UNIQUE ARTIFACT OF WORLD-CLASS QUALITY

Archaeologist and project leader Alexander Roesen Sjöstrand stated that this discovery is one of the oldest and best-preserved known fetus specimens in the world and holds a unique quality globally.

Archaeological excavations in the area continue with the aim of uncovering the woman's origin and burial rituals.

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