Did Iron Age Britons remove brains of the dead?
Summary
Archaeologists studied two Iron Age human remains found in northwest Scotland and found signs that the brain of one individual was carefully removed after death. They also saw that some long bones were sharpened, possibly to be used as tools, although some experts question these interpretations.Key Facts
- Two human remains, an adult female and a teenage male, were excavated in 2000 at Loch Borralie, Scotland.
- Radiocarbon dating shows they died between 50 BCE and 70 CE.
- The female skull had a fracture likely caused by a targeted impact near the time of death.
- Inside her skull, straight parallel marks suggest the brain was scraped out using a sharp tool after death.
- Four of her long bones were sharpened; researchers believe they might have been made into tools.
- The bones were placed in the grave in their correct body positions.
- DNA analysis revealed the teenager was male, about 14.5 to 15.5 years old, with evidence of health issues like vitamin C deficiency.
- Some experts are uncertain if the brain was removed or if the bones were deliberately sharpened.
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