Unweder

What this skeleton told us: Evidence

A young adult around 17 to 20 years of age and likely female, 168 cm tall (5 feet 6 inches). The front teeth showed enamel thinning (enamel defects, or hypoplasia) and there was some tooth root decay in some teeth of the lower jaw. Her right elbow showed degeneration. An iron blade was found overlying or embedded in one of her lower (lumbar) back vertebrae, but there is no indication of a cut or infectious changes to the vertebrae. It seems likely that this lay adjacent to the bone.

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. This woman was significantly above average height for the period, and this indicates that she 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 young woman, she may have had bad breath and experienced toothache. Tooth decay indicates sugar in her diet. Her enamel hypoplasia illustrates that in childhood she had a deficient diet or disease. Her elbow might have been damaged due to injury and/or repeated use in some physical activity There are no skeletal indications to suggest a cause of death, but many Anglo –Saxon women likely died during pregnancy or childbirth, often dying with the child, or shortly afterwards from childbed fever (postpartum infection).