Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Archaeologists from Bournemouth University have uncovered evidence of a young woman from the Iron Age who may have been sacrificed.
Photos: Bournemouth University
The team’s research, detailed in the Antiquities Journal, offers insights into the harsh life and brutal death of this individual from over 2,000 years ago.
Analysis of the woman’s remains, who was in her late twenties at death, shows significant spinal degeneration and arthritic changes, indicating a life of strenuous labor.
Her well-developed muscle attachments and a healed rib injury suggest she endured a physically demanding existence, potentially marred by violence.
The manner of her burial, face down on a crescent-shaped arrangement of animal bones, hints at a ritualistic human sacrifice.
A large cut mark on her neck indicates a violent death, supporting the theory of sacrificial killing.
Isotope analysis of her teeth suggests she came from over 20 miles away, raising questions about her origins and outsider status.
Further DNA analysis is underway to provide more information about her background and origins.
Dr. Martin Smith of Bournemouth University emphasizes the importance of uncovering the personal stories behind ancient burials, highlighting the often untold hardships faced by individuals in Iron Age society.