Posted on 11/19/2005 6:28:55 PM PST by blam
Ancient man's lost secrets on test
Paul Jeeves
TECHNOLOGY from the 21st century will be used to unlock the past to one of Yorkshire's most important archaeological finds from the Bronze Age.
Gristhorpe Man, one of the best preserved examples of human remains buried in a hollow oak tree trunk, will leave Scarborough's Rotunda Museum today in specially constructed boxes for Bradford University's Department of Archaeological Sciences.
The latest technology will be used to try to extract samples from the remains for analysis to establish how the Bronze Age man died as well as gathering more detail about his lifestyle and diet.
The skeleton still has some remains of the man's brain and teeth which have been preserved since he died 3,500 years ago.
Tests will also be conducted on an animal skin the corpse was wrapped in as well as a whalebone and bronze dagger and food which was buried in the coffin. Curator of museums at Scarborough Council Karen Snowden said: "He is one of the jewels in our crown, and because he has been here so long everyone remembers him if they visit Scarborough.
"While we will not be able to put a name to him, we are hopeful of finding out a great deal more about his past through this scientific research.
"It is wonderful to think that after all these centuries, we might be able to answer some of the questions which have remained unanswered up until now."
The remains were discovered on July 10 1834 in an ancient burial mound near Yorkshire's East Coast by members of the Scarborough Philosophical Society, which organised funding for the Rotunda Museum.
The bones were blackened by a reaction of iron in water with the tannin in the bark of the coffin, giving its distinctive appearance today.
The Bronze Age man is thought to have come from a wealthy background, as it was rare for someone to be buried in a tree trunk coffin and he was also almost 6ft tall – indicating that he had a good diet. Dr Nigel Melton, an honorary research fellow at the Department of Archaeological Sciences, will be working alongside Dr Janet Montgomery and Dr Andrew Wilson to conduct the research.
Dr Melton said: "It was a sensation when he was found in the 19th century, and it is still such an important find even today. "I am terribly excited because I am originally from Scarborough. "I can remember coming to the museum as a boy and standing with my nose pressed against the glass looking in awe at the skeleton."
The museum will close on January 8 next year for a £3m redevelopment before re-opening again in the late spring of 2007.
The skeleton will remain at Bradford University until the revamped museum re-opens.
paul.jeeves@ypn.co.uk 17 November 2005
Well, is that saying much?
(maybe your screenname helped put that thought in my mind...)
BTTT
How many human remains have they found buired in a hollow oak tree trunk?
How many human remains have they found buired in a hollow oak tree trunk?
Whalebone? Were there whaling ships that long ago or did they just wait for a carcass to wash up on shore?
blam = Lamb, a fine olde English name. (Ahem, wouldn't hurt a flea)
Probably.
PELOSI ????? :)
All your bone are belong to us.
The folks at the "Gristhorpe Man" web site sure have gone to lengths not to post any interesting photos or information.
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on or off the
Gods, Graves, Glyphs PING list or GGG weekly digest
-- Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
I hope they make there findings public. Sure would be interesting.
Woner how many they have found that were buried in this manner.
Over the years I've come to look at you as a keeper of the flame, not a flea stomper by any means. THANK YOU MUCH! I really do love your posts, your insight and your knowledge.
Sunken, that goes for you too! Thank you. Your hard work is appreciated. The pings I love the most come from you.
Like the Grammies, methinks they are creating too many, overly narrow, categories.
If they would just leave it at "human remains buried in a tree trunk"...
The skeleton still has some remains of the man's brain and teeth which have been preserved since he died 3,500 years ago.
Doing better than some of our "government leaders", though I'm afraid his current condition is more likely to have him voting Democrat than Republican.
Tests will also be conducted on an animal skin the corpse was wrapped in as well as a whalebone and bronze dagger and food which was buried in the coffin.
Then again, the lack of respect for environmental issues may tip the scale back to the Republican rolls.
Joking aside, it would be interesting if they could do a study similar to that of Cheddar Man, to look for descendants.
That's exactly my point!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.