Medieval History
The skeletal remains of more than a thousand people have been recovered from what experts believe was one of Ireland's largest medieval cemeteries.
According to a report in the Irish Examiner, the ancient bones have produced evidence of several suspected murders and one case of leprosy - an extremely rare occurrence in medieval times.
Osteoarchaeologist Carmelita Troy, of Headland Archaeology in Cork, said yesterday she has studied the ancient remains of nearly 1,300 individuals - adult males and females along with children - who were buried at the site at Ardreigh, Athy, in County Kildare. It is one of the largest skeleton assemblages in the country.
It is believed the site served as a huge regional cemetery for the south Kildare region from perhaps the 7th or 8th century, with classic Christian-style burials - bodies aligned west to east - taking place right up to the 1400s.
"Through the evidence gathered from the results of these excavations, it was clear Ardreigh was a highly significant medieval site, and one that can be considered to be of regional - and probably national importance," a preliminary report on the site suggested.
While final reports and exact carbon-dating have yet to be completed, the Ardreigh skeleton find is already being compared to important cemeteries at the medieval cathedral at Ardfert in Co Kerry, the Mount Offaly cemetery in south Co Dublin and Ballyhanna in Co Donegal.
"The skeletons from Ardreigh give us an important insight into, and help us understand our national heritage and the people from whom we are descended," Troy said.
The site yielded vast amounts of medieval material and the remains of some 1,300 people. The remains include male and female adults, some aged between 45 and 60, teenagers, children and even some foetuses - one as young as 20 weeks. Dozens of adult skeletons displayed signs of arthritis, which would not be uncommon. However, one person was found buried face down with his hands positioned behind his back. The cause of death could not be established.
Troy said the skulls of five adults had suffered sharp-implement injuries or blunt force trauma, possibly due to a blow from an axe. One skeleton was found to have had a leg amputated, possibly for medical reasons.
She said the vast quantity of skeletons found at this site allows archaeologists to statistically compare the results with other major medieval sites, and draw conclusions in relation to population profiles, as well as the ages, sex and segregation of the people.
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Medieval History
Remains of 1,000 people recovered from one of Ireland's largest medieval cemeteries
The skeletal remains of more than a thousand people have been recovered from what experts believe was one of Ireland's largest medieval cemeteries.
According to a report in the Irish Examiner, the ancient bones have produced evidence of several suspected murders and one case of leprosy - an extremely rare occurrence in medieval times.
Osteoarchaeologist Carmelita Troy, of Headland Archaeology in Cork, said yesterday she has studied the ancient remains of nearly 1,300 individuals - adult males and females along with children - who were buried at the site at Ardreigh, Athy, in County Kildare. It is one of the largest skeleton assemblages in the country.
It is believed the site served as a huge regional cemetery for the south Kildare region from perhaps the 7th or 8th century, with classic Christian-style burials - bodies aligned west to east - taking place right up to the 1400s.
"Through the evidence gathered from the results of these excavations, it was clear Ardreigh was a highly significant medieval site, and one that can be considered to be of regional - and probably national importance," a preliminary report on the site suggested.
While final reports and exact carbon-dating have yet to be completed, the Ardreigh skeleton find is already being compared to important cemeteries at the medieval cathedral at Ardfert in Co Kerry, the Mount Offaly cemetery in south Co Dublin and Ballyhanna in Co Donegal.
"The skeletons from Ardreigh give us an important insight into, and help us understand our national heritage and the people from whom we are descended," Troy said.
The site yielded vast amounts of medieval material and the remains of some 1,300 people. The remains include male and female adults, some aged between 45 and 60, teenagers, children and even some foetuses - one as young as 20 weeks. Dozens of adult skeletons displayed signs of arthritis, which would not be uncommon. However, one person was found buried face down with his hands positioned behind his back. The cause of death could not be established.
Troy said the skulls of five adults had suffered sharp-implement injuries or blunt force trauma, possibly due to a blow from an axe. One skeleton was found to have had a leg amputated, possibly for medical reasons.
She said the vast quantity of skeletons found at this site allows archaeologists to statistically compare the results with other major medieval sites, and draw conclusions in relation to population profiles, as well as the ages, sex and segregation of the people.
- Ancient Bones That Tell A Story Of Compassion
While it is a painful truism that brutality and violence are at least as old as humanity, so, it seems, is caring for the sick and disabled. And some archaeologists are suggesting a closer, more systematic look at how prehistoric people ? who may...
- Knights Hospitaller Preceptory Discovered At Mourneabbey In Ireland
A rare link between North Cork and an order of 13th century Christian knights has been revealed following a Cork County Council archaeological survey of Mourneabbey near Mallow. Excavations at the site of a 13th century church uncovered the remains of...
- Columbus Didn't Sail Syphilis Back To Europe?
Dozens of skeletons unearthed in London may provide the first solid evidence that syphilis did not sail into Europe with Christopher Columbus and his crew, announced researchers working on one of the largest excavations of skeletons ever undertaken in...
- Medieval Skeletons Unearthed In Gloucester
The remains of two people were discovered by workers in Gloucester, England who were digging up a road near the city centre. Gloucestershire County Council's archaeology service has examined the bones, which were laid side by side in the ground, and...
- Archaeological Project Reveals Sweden's Oldest Church, Evidence Of Early Christianity
An archaeological project in Sweden has turned up evidence of Christianity in the area going as far back as the ninth century as well as the remains of the oldest known church in that country. Results of the project have been published in the latest...