Why a headless horse was found in a medieval graveyard

A decapitated horse has been found in a graveyard dating back to the early medieval era in Germany.

The graves, dating back about 1400 years, held the remains of people who were ruled at the time by the Merovingian dynasty, which held large portions of France and Germany before being replaced by the Carolingians in 751CE - the most famous of whom was Charlemagne.

In a release the Stuttgart Regional Council said the graves at Knittlingen appeared to have been the resting places of high-status members of society.

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"Despite their fragmentation as a result of ancient robbery, the finds provide indications of the social position of the dead," excavation leader Dr Folke Damminger said.

The burials held "comparatively rich" goods including weapons, golden amulets, bronze bowls - and, of course, the horse.

The animal's headless skeleton was found next to a man who had been buried with weapons, indicating it had perhaps belonged to him.

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The excavation leaders have speculated that the horse was possibly killed as part of the man's burial, indicating his high status in the community - but it isn't certain.

Either way, it was unlikely to be a sacrifice in a strict sense, with the people of the area having converted to Christianity by then.

Burials with grave goods were not uncommon in the early medieval era, but a horse's body being found is a rarity.

The skeletons and other finds were taken to the central finds archive in Rastatt.

The excavations are scheduled to be completed in spring this year, after starting last August.