Key Highlights
- Bournemouth University students and volunteers discovered a skeleton believed to be a human sacrifice at an Iron Age settlement in Dorset.
- The discovery was part of the first episode of Channel 4’s new series, Sandi Toksvig’s Hidden Wonders.
- Artifacts found during the excavation suggest Roman influence on the Durotriges tribe, who lived before the Romans arrived.
- Analysis indicated that the teenage girl buried face down in a pit may have been sacrificed based on signs of violent trauma to her arms and upper torso.
New Discovery Unearths Secrets from Iron Age Dorset
Bournemouth University students were involved in an exciting archaeological excavation in Dorset, England, as part of the first episode of Channel 4’s new series “Sandi Toksvig’s Hidden Wonders”. The team, led by Bournemouth University’s Principal Academic in Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology, Dr. Miles Russell, uncovered a significant find – a skeleton that was believed to be a human sacrifice from the Iron Age Durotriges tribe.
Exploring Ancient Dorset
The series sees Sandi Toksvig explore four sites of special interest to unearth the secrets of Britain’s past. The first episode focused on an Iron Age settlement, where the team discovered evidence of domestic dwellings and a cemetery belonging to the Durotriges tribe.
A Skeleton Believed to Be Human Sacrifice
During the excavation, the team stumbled upon the remains of a teenage girl buried face down in a pit. Dr. Russell highlighted that this burial practice was not usual at the time and suggested that she could have been sacrificed based on signs of violent trauma to her arms and upper torso. “The team were particularly shocked to hear that this could have been a human sacrifice, but it was obvious from Sandi’s own interest in Archaeology that she was deeply moved by what had been uncovered,” Dr. Russell said.
Artifacts Reveal Blend of Cultures
The discovery of artifacts such as bronze brooches, a bronze bangle, and a bone comb provided insight into the lifestyle of the Durotriges tribe. These items demonstrated a blend between Roman and traditional Iron Age customs, indicating that the tribe had already been influenced by Roman culture before their arrival.
Further Research and Discoveries
Ongoing work on DNA and isotopes recorded for the burials is suggesting that the Durotriges tribe may have been a matriarchal society, with women owning the land. This marks the first time such evidence has been documented in western European prehistory. “The finds were often in a Roman style, demonstrating a blend between Roman and traditional Iron Age customs, helping us to build up a picture of how these people lived and died 2,000 years ago,” Dr. Russell added.
The excavation continues as part of the ongoing series, with more secrets from Dorset’s past yet to be revealed. As Sandi Toksvig delves deeper into the mysteries of prehistoric Britain, viewers can expect to learn more about the lives and cultures of ancient tribes such as the Durotriges.
