 I'm Darren Marlar and this is a Weird Darkness Bonus Bite from all that's interesting.com. Archaeologists in Kazakhstan unearthed Bronze Age burial of girl laid to rest with more than 180 animal bones, written by Kalina Fraga. Thousands of years ago, a young girl was laid to rest in present-day Kazakhstan with a number of peculiar grave goods, including 180 animal ankle bones and a small, intricate carving of a frog on a disc. Now, archaeologists excavating the site are working to discern their meaning. According to the Astana Times in English-language news outlet in Kazakhstan, the burial was discovered through a joint effort from Al-Farabi-Kazakh National University, or KazNU, and Cambridge University. The girl's grave is located near Anabulak village in the east of the country and dates from Central Asia's Bronze Age, which lasted from roughly 3,200 BC until 1,000 BC. Hers is one of more than 100 Bronze Age burial mounds that the archaeologists have uncovered at the site, but her grave certainly stands out. As Live Science reports, archaeologists found that she was buried with 180 ankle bones that likely came from sheep or cattle, as well as three cows' shoulder blades, multiple metal pommels, a mirror, a bronze bowl, and intriguingly, a small bronze disc carved with the depiction of a frog. To archaeologists investigating the site, these grave goods are curious indeed, though animal bones have been found in similar graves in the region, the sheer number of bones in this grave is remarkable. Renat Uzumotayev, who oversees the Department of Archaeology, Ethnology, and Museology at Al-Farabi-Kazakh National University in Kazakhstan and led the dig, noted that the bones could have any number of meanings. Including the animal bones in a Bronze Age burial could have been part of a cult practice, he explained to Live Science. Alternatively, they could have been symbols of well-being and good luck that were meant to signify a wish for a successful transition from one world to another. The frog disc, however, is something of a mystery. It is the first time that such an object has been found in Kazakhstan. The image of the frog has had different meanings among many peoples since antiquity, Uzumotayev explained. It is associated with the image of a woman in labor and the cult of water, but requires more study to determine its true meaning. Though there is still much for the archaeologists to learn about the girl herself, they suspect that she was buried with particular attention and care. The girl was buried on her left side, bent over, Uzumotayev explained. There were small wire earrings in both ears and beads around her neck. Archaeologists are hopeful to learn more about the girl and about the site in general. As the Astana Times reports, they also created a full topographical plan of the Ainah Bulak Tamirsu burial ground, investigated several other burial mounds, and identified three ancient settlements. These findings have an important historical and cultural significance for the study of the early stages of the Bronze Age, Uzumotayev noted. Next, researchers will take metal objects, bones, and soil discovered at the site back to Cambridge, where they will continue their study at university labs. Hopefully this study will reveal more about the girl buried with the animal bones, as well as the Bronze Age civilization that she called home. If you'd like to see photos, including a photo of that frog disk, or read the original story, just look for the link in the show notes. And find more weird news in the Weird News & Blog at WeirdDarkness.com