Scinn

What this skeleton told us: Evidence

An older woman and 166 cm tall (5 feet 5 inches). Some enamel defects, or hypoplasia, of the tooth enamel are seen, there was tooth loss during life, and dental plaque on some teeth. A healed break (fracture) is present in the middle of her right forearm that has healed with some angular deformity. There is also a fracture of the middle of the left 8th rib that is unhealed. Osteoarthritis of the upper arm bone is present (humerus), and a possible fracture of the right collarbone (clavicle).

Interpretation of the evidence

In Anglo-Saxon Britain, if a woman survived childhood, she could be expected to live into middle-age, provided she maintained good health and did not die during pregnancy or childbirth. However, we should remember that humans are very good at adapting to challenging times! This woman was of above-average height for the period and died at a relatively advanced age, which indicates that she was well-nourished and in good general health. In common with many of the people buried at the Bowl Hole, dental hygiene appears to have been poor for this woman, she had lost teeth and could have had bad breath. Her enamel hypoplasia illustrates that in childhood she had a deficient diet or disease. The bone fractures indicate she had had some accidental injuries during her life.