Neolithic people on the Danish island Bornholm sacrificed hundreds of stones engraved with sun and field motifs. Archaeologists and climate scientists from the University of Copenhagen can now show that these ritual sacrifices coincided with a large volcanic eruption that made the sun disappear throughout Northern Europe.

Volcanic eruptions have profoundly impacted human societies throughout history, causing cold weather, reduced sunlight, and crop failures.

About 4,900 years ago, a Neolithic people on the Danish island Bornholm sacrificed hundreds of stones engraved with sun and field motifs. Archaeologists and climate scientists from the University of Copenhagen can now show that these ritual sacrifices coincided with a large volcanic eruption that made the sun disappear throughout Northern Europe.

Scientists Say a Massive Volcanic Eruption 4900 Years Ago May Have Trigged Strange Sacrifices of ‘Sun Stones' Archaeologists and climate scientists from the University of Copenhagen provided evidence of ritual sacrifices that collided with the massive volcanic eruption that made the sun disappear throughout Northern Europe.