Tag Archives: britons

Iron Age Britons: Evidence of Brain Removal Practices in Burial Rituals

Posted on by
Reply
Iron Age Burial Discovery

Skull fragment (left) and scapula (right) of a woman buried in Lough Boralee, UK

Credit: Rebecca Ellis-Haken

Unusual scratches found on the interior of a woman’s skull, discovered in Scotland and dated to 2,000 years ago, indicate that brain removal may have been a part of Iron Age funerary traditions in Britain.

The Iron Age in Britain, spanning from around 800 BC until the Roman conquest in 43 AD, remains shrouded in mystery due to the scarcity of preserved human remains from that era.

Evidence shows that many individuals from this time were buried alongside their maternal relatives rather than their spouses. Excavations at Iron Age sites like Suddern Farm and Danebury in southern England reveal that bodies were sometimes exhumed after burial, or left exposed until final interment, suggesting complex funerary practices.
The findings suggest a rich cultural tradition surrounding death.

A research team led by Laura Castells Navarro from the University of York reevaluated remains of an adult woman and a teenage boy buried in a low cairn at Loch Borralee in Scotland. These remains were initially excavated in 2000, with both individuals estimated to have died between 50 BC and 70 AD.

The team discovered distinct striae and abrasions inside the woman’s skull. According to Castells-Navarro, this suggests purposeful brain removal.

“The scratches are so regular and straight that they likely result from the use of a sharp tool,” Castells-Navarro explains.
Adele Bricking of the Museum of Wales commented on the significance of these findings, stating that the uniformity of the marks indicates intentional manipulation.

However, Richard Maggwick, a professor at Cardiff University, expresses caution, suggesting that while the marks indicate manipulation, it remains uncertain if they definitively relate to brain removal.

The study also revealed that some of the woman’s long bones, including the femur, tapered towards their tips, possibly indicating they were crafted into tools.

Castells-Navarro posits, “They likely took a long bone, broke it in half, and processed it until it tapered smoothly.” Conversely, Maggwick suggests these bones may have been incidental to tool-making rather than intentional modifications.

Despite speculation around the purpose behind these bone alterations, the woman’s remains were ultimately reassembled and placed in a cairn, indicating a respect for her identity.

This research provides valuable insights into relationships between the living and the dead during the Iron Age.
Andrew Lamb from the University of Edinburgh highlights parallels with postmortem practices found throughout Europe, suggesting a complex view of death and identity in prehistoric societies.

Furthermore, genetic analysis of the individuals revealed they were likely second cousins on the maternal side, and connected to Iron Age communities from Orkney and Applecross. This agrees with archaeological findings of maritime trade and cultural exchanges during the Iron Age.

Lamb notes these communities likely used small wooden-framed boats for navigation, which were suitable for coastal sailing.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

How Bronze Age Britons Crafted Copper Mining Tools from Ancient Bones

Posted on by
Reply
Bronze Age Mining Tools

Bronze Age Tools: Wedges Made from Limb Bones

O. Zagorodnia

Despite having the technology for metal tools, communities in Bronze Age Britain effectively utilized animal bone tools in conjunction with metal for copper extraction over nine centuries, from 3700 to 2800 years ago.

A detailed study of 150 bones from a Bronze Age copper mining site at Great Orme, North Wales, reveals that these bones were deliberately chosen and crafted for specific mining tasks, particularly for extracting copper from soft rocks.

“This discovery challenges the conventional belief that Bronze Age mining relied predominantly on metal and stone tools. A more diverse and adaptable toolkit is emerging,” says Olga Zagorodnia from the British Museum.

Since the early 1990s, over 30,000 bone fragments have been unearthed at the site. Preliminary studies show that more than half of these fragments originate from cattle, with the rest primarily from sheep, goats, and pigs. Some bones are suspected to have served functional roles as tools, as noted in a 2011 study that identified wear patterns indicative of tool use.

By employing high-resolution microscopy, Zagorodnia and White analyzed the wear marks on the 150 bones. They replicated mining activities using bone tool replicas to compare wear patterns with those on ancient specimens.

“Notably, we observed rapid post-consumer wear development, which corroborated our microscopic findings,” remarks White. “Our experiments with bone splitting produced circular fracture patterns that mirrored those found in the archaeological samples, creating a tangible link to the ancient miners.”

The findings imply that these bones were purposefully modified into various tools, including wedges fashioned from limb bones for splitting soft rocks potentially rich in copper. Evidence of tapering and polishing suggests that some tools were designed to be affixed to a handle, akin to a metal pick, a significant new discovery.

Scoops Crafted from Scapula and Pelvic Bones

O. Zagorodnia

Conversely, rib bones likely served to carve through soft sandy limestone, possibly acting as scrapers or agitators to enhance copper separation during ore processing. Moreover, researchers identified tools fashioned from scapula or pelvis bones that may have been utilized for shoveling or scraping fine ore.

“The evidence from Great Orme signifies a continuation of long-established technological practices, predating metalworking.” Researchers posit that bones, as readily available resources in pastoral societies, offered a labor-efficient alternative to crafting metal tools.

The findings align with those from other prehistoric mining sites across Europe, where bone tools have been discovered. “Bronze Age communities in Britain and Europe didn’t merely switch to metal; they employed an integrated approach, utilizing both materials creatively,” notes White. “This reflects a profound understanding of material properties and hints at organized mining techniques involving specialized tools and potentially skilled labor.”

“Both authors introduce a remarkable level of scientific rigor to this unique field of artifact research.” states freelance archaeologist Simon Timberlake from Cambridge, UK. “To fully grasp the advancements that transitioned Stone Age technology into the Metal Age, we must thoroughly investigate the tools they employed.”

Discover the Origins of Humanity and Prehistoric Times in South-West England

Engage in an enriching experience of the early human eras, including the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age, with this gentle walking tour.

Topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

More Britons View AI as an Economic Threat Instead of an Opportunity, Tony Blair’s Think Tank Finds

Posted on by
Reply

A think tank associated with Tony Blair suggests that the public perceives artificial intelligence more as an economic threat rather than a benefit.

The Tony Blair Institute cautioned that these poll findings could jeopardize Keir Starmer’s vision for the UK to become an AI “superpower,” urging the government to persuade the populace about the positive impacts of this technology.

According to a survey conducted by TBI, 38% of Britons see AI as a potential economic risk, while only 20% regard it as an opportunity. The survey, which included over 3,700 adults, also revealed that a lack of trust is the primary barrier to AI adoption.

Jakob Mökander, the director of science and technology policy at TBI, stated that the UK’s primary path to becoming an AI superpower lies in adopting cutting-edge technology. He expressed concerns that the current poll results jeopardize this aspiration.

Mökander noted, “A nation can achieve AI superpower status either by leading in development or by being a frontrunner in adoption.” He acknowledged that while the UK will not lead in development—domains dominated by the US and China—it can excel in adoption. However, he emphasized that without fostering public trust in technology, this goal is unattainable.

The UK government has identified AI as a cornerstone of its economic growth strategy, aiming for the country to become “one of the great AI superpowers” in the near future.

Nonetheless, there is considerable voter concern regarding the economic ramifications and job implications associated with AI. Entities such as TBI, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development predict that AI—defined as systems that can undertake tasks typically requiring human intelligence—will profoundly affect the labor market. TBI estimates that AI may lead to a shift of between 1 million and 3 million private sector jobs in the UK, although they anticipate that the total job loss will be mitigated as technology creates new positions.

Meanwhile, recruitment agencies have indicated that sectors expected to be influenced by AI, like graduate recruitment, have not yet experienced significant changes attributable to AI.

Furthermore, TBI’s polling indicates a divide between AI users and non-users, revealing that more than half of those unacquainted with the technology perceive it as a risk. In contrast, only a quarter of those who regularly use AI regard it as a threat.

Mökander stated that there is a pressing need to articulate potential benefits, like establishing AI reliability through regulations, shortening NHS wait times, and allowing individuals more family time.

Skip past newsletter promotions

Regarding the need for regulations akin to those for vaccines, Mökander emphasized educating the public and promoting positive campaigns to cultivate healthy perceptions.

The TBI has garnered significant funding from tech magnate Larry Ellison and released findings indicating the advantageous applications of AI. The report suggests measuring AI’s beneficial impact accurately and promoting responsible regulations to foster AI skill development.

A spokesperson for the UK government stated that public trust is vital for effective AI utilization and highlighted initiatives aimed at enhancing AI skills and recruitment.

“With approximately 10 million workers projected to use AI in their daily roles by 2035, it is crucial that the workforce is equipped with both the skills and confidence to engage with this technology,” the spokesperson remarked.

Source: www.theguardian.com