Archaeologists uncover body of girl stabbed in neck as part of human sacrifice

[Judi Lynn]

1. BU archaeologists uncover Iron Age victim of human sacrifice

Mark Milligan
Date:

May 23, 2024
Anthropology

Archaeologists from Bournemouth University have uncovered an Iron Age victim of human sacrifice in Dorset, England.

The sacrificial victim was found lying at the bottom of a pit and placed on carefully arranged animal bones. A study of the skeletal remains indicate that she died during her late twenties from a stab wound to her neck.

Dr Martin Smith, Associate Professor in Forensic and Biological Anthropology at Bournemouth University, said: “The young woman was found lying face down on top of a strange, deliberately constructed crescent shaped arrangement of animal bones at the bottom of a pit, so it looks like she was killed as part of an offering,”

Examples of Iron Age sacrifice in Britain are very rare, with most accounts coming from later Roman and Greek sources. According to the researchers, this is physical evidence that human sacrifice took place in Iron Age Britain.

By examining the bones, archaeologists have uncovered new details about the victim’s life, helping to piece together parts of her story.

More:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/05/bu-archaeologists-uncover-iron-age-victim-of-human-sacrifice/152047