Feb 11, 2007 2 min read

Not far from the city where Shakespeare set “Romeo and Juliet,” archaeologists have found evidence of another, much older, doomed love affair. They excavated the grave of a young couple who died between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago. The skeletons were locked in an embrace, and it was clearly important to the mourners that the young man and woman be buried that way.

All the archaeologists could say definitely from first glance because of the state of their teeth was that the pair were relatively young and the death undoubtedly sudden.

It’s remotely possible that forensic examination may determine the cause of death, but what will remain a poignant and tantalizing mystery is the story of these young lovers, if that’s indeed what they were.

And as Valentine’s Day approaches, we choose to believe that they were lovers, perhaps even the lineal and literary ancestors of Romeo and Juliet.

We mark Valentine’s Day in the United States with our usual excess, nearly $17 billion spent on flowers, candy, cards and dining out.

But at some vital level the day still honors the selfless Roman priest, martyred in the third century, who became St. Valentine, the patron saint of sweethearts.

We now know that deep emotional and physical bonds extend at least into the Neolithic era, when mankind began taking up agriculture and organizing itself into groups that were the rudimentary precursors of modern society.

Archaeologist Elena Menotti told the Associated Press that the young couple’s grave “was a very emotional discovery. From thousands of years ago we feel the strength of this love. Yes, we must call it love.” Yes, we must.