ēðelēðelēðelēðel
  • Home
  • Visit
      • Explore Bamburgh
      • Book a Guided Tour
      • Visit the BonesInto the crypt
      • News & Events
      • Learning
  • Digital Crypt
      • Graveyard MapBrowse the Bowl Hole
      • Ossuary: Behind the Scenes
      • The Bamburgh Bonesin a digital ossuary
  • Stories
  • Projects
    • Hazelsong Theatre
  • Support
      • Donate
      • Volunteer
      • Shop
      • SupportWe need your help
✕
bēo
Orsorg

    BACK
    CODEWORD:

    ēðel

    WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?

    DIG:2002 #57
    A skeleton in the bowl hole graveyard

    What this skeleton told us: Evidence

    An older man with a well-preserved skeleton and 166 cm tall (5 feet 5 inches). The teeth are in a poor condition with tooth decay, plaque, and an infected tooth root that drains into the left maxillary sinus (a cavity in the facial bones). There is also gum disease and evident tooth loss during life. Osteoarthritis is present in both left and right wrist joints and the joints of the right foot. A bone in the left fifth finger might have been broken (fracture), there is some indication of soft tissue trauma to the right lower leg bones (tibia and fibula), and there is a well healed fracture to the right 3rd rib.

    Interpretation of the evidence

    In Anglo-Saxon Britain, it is likely that if a man survived childhood, he could expect to live a fairly long life, at least into middle-age, provided he maintained good health and was not killed in battle. This older man was below average height for the period and died at a relatively advanced age, indicating that he was well-nourished and in good general health. However, we should remember that humans are very good at adapting to challenging times! In common with many of the people buried at the Bowl Hole, dental hygiene appears to have been poor for this man, and his decayed teeth suggest sugar in his diet. Osteoarthritis is not a surprising condition given his age and he might have had some associated swelling, pain and stiffness, particularly after resting or following physical activity. His healed fractures suggest survival of accidents during his life.

    A skeleton with codename ēðel as discovered in the bowl hole graveyard

    ēðel as found, select for full photo

    A drawing of skeleton with codename ēðel as discovered in the bowl hole graveyard

    The archaeologist's drawing of ēðel

    Where ēðel was found in the graveyard

    ēðel

    Own land or home.

    Share

    Similar Entries

    October 15, 2019

    bēo


    Read more
    October 15, 2019

    oncweðeð


    Read more
    October 16, 2019

    brego


    Read more
    October 17, 2019

    Sunnan-ðāæg


    Read more
    Bamburgh Bones
    • Team & Partners
    • Ethical Issues
    • Academic Interest
    • Shop
    • Volunteer
    • Contact
    © Bamburgh Bones | Privacy Policy | Web Design
    0

    £0

    ✕

    Login

    Lost your password?

    ✕

    Cart

    Your cart is currently empty.

    Subtotal: £0
    Total: £0
    Proceed to checkout View cart