Archaeologists have made a fascinating discovery in a Bronze Age burial near the Black Sea. A team of researchers found a small, stone-like object in the hand bones of a man who lived around 5,300 years ago. The object, roughly the size of a grape, was discovered during a laboratory analysis of the skeleton. Initial observations revealed a brownish, round object with several protrusions and a small crack showing a crystal-like structure inside. To determine the composition of the object, the researchers used X-ray fluorescence analysis and X-ray powder diffraction. The results showed that the object was primarily made of calcium and phosphorus, with the presence of whitlockite, a rare calcium salt. The discovery suggests that the man may have suffered from a chronic urogenital infection, which would have caused him considerable pain in his last years. The findings were published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. The burial was part of a kurgan cemetery, an ancient steppe funeral tradition, and the skeleton was found in a catacomb beneath a large mound of dirt. A flint arrowhead was also discovered near the man's pelvis, providing insight into his lifestyle and occupation. The study sheds light on the health and daily life of ancient people, offering a unique glimpse into the past.