Hasanlu Lovers

The Hasanlu Lovers are a pair of human remains found by a team from the University of Pennsylvania led by Robert H. Dyson at the Teppe Hasanlu archaeological site, located in the Solduz Valley in the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran, in 1972. The skeletons have been the subject of debate since they were first excavated. They were exhibited at the museum in 1974.The two human skeletons were found together in a bin during excavations, seemingly embracing at the time of death. Approximately 246 skeletons were found at the site altogether.The skeleton on the right (referred to as SK 335) is lying on its back. Dental evidence suggest SK 335 is a young adult, possibly 19–22 years of age. Researchers identified the skeleton as male largely based on the pelvis. The skeleton had no apparent evidence of disease or healed lifetime injuries.The skeleton on the left (SK 336) is lying on its left side facing SK 335. It has been aged to about 30–35 years. While sex determination is less definitive for this skeleton, evidence suggests SK 336 was also male. The individual appeared to have been healthy in life, and the skeleton had no apparent evidence of healed lifetime injuries. At the time of excavation, this skeleton was originally identified as female.The pair of skeletons were found in a bin-like structure with no other objects except a stone slab under the head of one skeleton. They died together around 800 B.C., during the last destruction of the Hasanlu. Both skeletons lack evidence of injury near the time of death and possibly died of asphyxiation.Isotopic signatures indicate that the diets of the residents of Hasanlu were varied, including wheat, barley, sheep and goats, and that the residents of Hasanlu were largely born and raised in the area.Some researchers argue sensationalism about the Hasanlu Lovers and other potential examples of non-heteronormative behaviors in the past are problematic.