Neolithic Romeo & Juliet Found

Most of the world's greatest stories have a basis in fact. Such could very well be the case with Romeo and Juliet, the famed star-crossed lovers popularized in Shakespeare's play. Now, archaeology has strengthened the Bard's hand.

Scientists have unearthed a pair of 5,000-year-old skeletons that were buried while they were embracing. They date back to the Neolithic period, which was definitely a time of single burial. Another 30 burial sites have been found in the surrounding area, and all contain single skeletons. Further, the skeletons were found outside Mantua, just 25 mile south of Verona, where Romeo and Juliet was set.

The archaeological record contains many instances of skeletons touching, including parents holding children's hands and other similar embraces. The romantic nature of the discovery and its proximity to the site of the famous play, however, bring this discovery much more into the popular consciousness.

Click here to see a video of the site.