The discovery of at least seven human remains during dredging operations in Corser Harbor provides valuable insights into the past, particularly the Ertebølle culture. Among the findings was an exceptionally well-preserved underwater grave containing the body of an adult male from the Ertebølle period. The grave included a stretcher made of twigs and a layer of bark that had been wrapped around the body before burial, although much of this bark layer was damaged during the excavation. Positioned at the waist of the deceased was a flint knife. Notably, the skull displayed evidence of a severe blow, suggesting a violent encounter. Interestingly, one of the residents of Corsair Nor survived this encounter, but the fate of his opponent remains unknown.
To determine the age of organic materials like plants, animals, or human remains, the carbon-14 dating method can be employed. Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope that is part of the Earth's biological cycle. Living organisms absorb carbon-14 during their lifetimes. However, carbon-14 is radioactive and gradually decays, becoming progressively smaller over time. When an organism dies, it ceases to absorb carbon-14. By measuring the remaining amount of carbon-14 in an organism, scientists can estimate its age. These estimates are typically presented with a margin of error denoted by +/-.
Significantly, since the time of the Ertebølle culture, Denmark has experienced substantial geological changes, with the country tilting by approximately 15 meters. Coastal settlements that existed 6,000 years ago, such as those near Tversted south of Skagen, now stand 12 meters above sea level. Conversely, in the south of Denmark, settlements, like those around the island of Erö, are now submerged up to 3 meters deep below the water's surface. In Zealand, settlements and graves have risen by 4-5 meters in the northeast (Vedbæk) but have sunk by 1-2 meters in the southwest (Korsør Nor). This explains why the man from Korsør Nor was discovered underwater, even though he was originally buried on dry land. Similarly, the remains of other individuals may have been disturbed and scattered across the seabed over millennia due to the changing sea levels and geological movements.
Notably, skeletons from the Stone Age often exhibit signs of violence. For example, a man from Bögebakken in Vedbæk was killed by a precise arrow shot to the neck, with the arrowhead still lodged in his throat when he was buried 7,000 years ago. Other skeletons also show signs of violence. The man from Korsør-Nor, for instance, suffered one or more blows to the head, which he managed to survive. These traces of violence and potential acts of murder may be indicative of territorial conflicts resulting from an increase in population density towards the end of the Mesolithic period.