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.