Trijntje

Trijntje ( 5550 BC - 5500 BC) is the name given to the oldest known human skeleton discovered in The Netherlands. The remains, belonging to a woman who lived during the Mesolithic period, were unearthed in 1997 near Hardinxveld-Giessendam during the construction of the Betuweroute railway line.

Discovery The skeleton was discovered around five meters underground in a peat and clay layer. This unique environment preserved her bones relatively well, particularly the skull and leg bones.

The site also yielded remains of birds such as ducks, swans, geese, and herons, indicating an active hunting lifestyle. Her burial near the donk suggests the area was a semi-permanent base camp for her community.

In 2017, her skeleton was displayed to the public for the first time as part of the permanent exhibition Canon van Nederland in the Dutch Open Air Museum in Arnhem.

Legacy The discovery of Trijntje challenged previous assumptions that the western Netherlands was uninhabited during the Mesolithic period. Her remains provide insight into prehistoric life, health, and burial practices in the region.