Italian archaeologists say theywill not disturb the bonds of the Stone Age couple who’ve been grabbingheadlines the world over since their discovery was first announced lastweek. Instead of removing bones from the recently discovered digone-by-one and then reassembling them later, the team of archaeologistswill scoop up the entire patch of ground surrounding the couple to keepthe two in place. Scientists will then examine the Neolithic lovers hoping todemystify the circumstances surrounding their death and
hopefully giveinsight into their life as well. They will then be handed over to Mantua’s Archaeological Museum, where they will be put on display. The two – believed to be a young man and woman – were unearthed inthe northern city of Mantova and are believed to be between 5,000 and6,000 years old, making this the oldest known embrace in human history. It is only fitting that the couple was discovered near Verona – the setting of Shakespeare’s tragic tale, Romeo and Juliet. Dubbed the ‘Lovers of Valdaro’ for the suburb where they were found,it is actually still uncertain whether the two were even of oppositesex.