Wīcing

What this skeleton told us: Evidence

A 5 to 7 year old child with both milk and adult teeth present. Some tooth decay and plaque are present on the teeth, along with thinning of the enamel (enamel defects, or hypoplasia).

Interpretation of the evidence

Child mortality was likely high in Anglo-Saxon Britain. This child probably died from a communicable disease (infection), but had they survived into adulthood, would probably had the dental problems that so many of these skeletons display. Poor dental hygiene and sugar in his/her diet are indicated, and a disease or dietary deficiency causing the thinned enamel.