Latest news with #IcePrince
Scottish Sun
18-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Tragic Viking burial reveals woman buried with tiny dog in mysterious ‘boat grave' with ‘never before found' artefact
While the sex of the remains is yet to be revealed through DNA testing, archaeologists suspect the grave belongs to that of a woman REST IN POOCH Tragic Viking burial reveals woman buried with tiny dog in mysterious 'boat grave' with 'never before found' artefact Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed the remains of a 1,000-year-old Viking Age person, who was buried with a small dog at their feet. The human and the canine were buried together in an 18-foot-long "sewn boat" in around 900 to 950 CE, according to experts from the Arctic University Museum of Norway. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Treasures found inside the grave include two bronze oval-shaped brooches, a ring-shaped pendant attached to her ear or to a headpiece Credit: Arctic University Museum of Norway 4 Like today's pet owners, it is well documented that the Viking's loved their dogs Credit: Arctic University Museum of Norway 4 While the sex of the remains is yet to be revealed through DNA testing, archaeologists suspect the grave belongs to that of a woman. Credit: Arctic University Museum of Norway While the boat has nearly all but collapsed away - some of the woodwork is still visible as a thin, dark strip. What archaeologists are most excited about is the small dog's remains. "[The pet] appears to have been placed with real care," Anja Roth Niemi, an archaeologist with the Arctic University Museum of Norway who helped excavate the site, told Science Norway. "There are stories of prominent people doing everything in their power when their dog became ill. READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY DEEP DIG Ancient burial of 'Ice Prince' uncovered alongside dismembered sacrifice "So even back then, people had deep bonds with their animals." Like today's pet owners, it is well documented that the Viking's loved their dogs. Numerous animal remains, including horses, have been found buried alongside their presumed owners in Viking Age graves. "We get very close to those who lived long ago," added Niemi. Archaeologists began excavating the site last month, two years after the burial was first discovered by metal detectorists exploring a field on Senja, an island above the Arctic Circle in northern Norway. While the sex of the remains is yet to be revealed through DNA testing, archaeologists suspect the grave belongs to that of a woman. Treasures found inside the grave include two bronze oval-shaped brooches, a ring-shaped pendant attached to her ear or to a headpiece. Dozens of medieval skeletons in mysterious stone coffins unearthed by man renovating his cellar The oval brooches were decorated with silver thread. Archaeologists also found two beads made of either amber or bone, a whetstone made of slate and an iron sickle, and artefacts they suspect may have been used for textile production. One elongated tool suspected to be made from a whale bone may have been a weaving sword, according to experts, while the other appears to be a spindle whorl. Such decorated brooches have never been found in the graves of Viking Age men, while textile production was a skill spearheaded by women. Viking women would spin sheep's wool and plant fibers into yarn or thread, they would then use a spindle whorl to make it into a fabric to make clothes. The possessions suggest the woman had significant local or regional status, according to experts. "She wasn't at the very top of the social ladder, but she was clearly an important figure," Niemi said. Archaeologists found the woman buried with her knees bent up against one side of the boat and her arms gathered in front of her pelvis, according to a Facebook post from the Arctic University Museum of Norway. Fragments of the individual's garments may offer more insights into Viking funerary practices in Norway. Once the excavations are complete, archaeologists will transport the grave's contents to a laboratory in Tromsø for further documentation and testing. Further analysis of the human remains is required to understand their age, height, health and lifestyle. "We'll learn about the kind of work she did, whether she went through periods of poor nutrition and whether she lived in different places during childhood and adulthood," added Niemi. Archaeologists believe there may be more undiscovered Viking burials in the area. A Viking Age brooch was found several feet away from the recently excavated grave, which could indicate that the burial is part of a larger grave site.
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Chilling execution of ‘washed up' Medieval woman revealed as experts say brutal punishment was a ‘warning to others'
Her body was laden with fractures resembling that of a car accident victim, according to experts THAMES DIG Chilling execution of 'washed up' Medieval woman revealed as experts say brutal punishment was a 'warning to others' THE remains of a roughly 1,200-year-old woman found on the shores of the River Thames have exposed the brutal punishment practices of early Medieval Britain. London between 600 to 800 AD, or Lundenwic as it was then known, was a very different place than it is today. Advertisement 3 The woman, whose remains have been categorised as UPT90 sk 1278 in museum records, was between the ages of 28 and 40 when she died Credit: Museum of London 3 The River Thames near Blackfriars Bridge, London Credit: Getty The settlement, which covered the area of modern-day Covent Garden, was made up of narrow, winding streets and buildings made of timber and straw. It had a population of roughly 8,000 people - a far cry from the 9.26million residents that live there today. The remains of one Londoner, believed to have lived during the early medieval period between 680 and 810 AD, act as an example of these practices. Lawbreakers appeared to be executed in the streets, according to experts, and their bodies were left to decompose for all to see as a warning to others. Advertisement READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY DEEP DIG Ancient burial of 'Ice Prince' uncovered alongside dismembered sacrifice The woman, whose remains have been categorised as UPT90 sk 1278 in museum records, was between the ages of 28 and 40 when she died. She was not buried, but rather sandwiched between two sheets of bark, lying on a mat of reeds with moss pads placed on her face, pelvis, and knees. When the woman was first excavated in 1991, archaeologists noted that she was likely placed on the foreshore of the Thames where her remains were in public view. "The burial treatment of UPT90 sk 1278 lets us know that her body was meant to be visible on the landscape, which could be interpreted as a warning to witnesses," said Dr. Madeline Mant, who studied the remains once they were moved to the London Museum. Advertisement Dr. Mant and her colleagues published their findings in the journal World Archaeology. Biggest burial site in Greek history guarded by two headless sphinx unearthed and it could be tomb of Alexander the Great "We can tell from the osteobiography of this individual and their burial treatment that they were executed, but the specific offense is impossible to know for certain," she added. "We can only infer from the law codes of the period." Just two weeks before her death, the woman was subject to torturous beatings and an eventual execution, researchers wrote. Advertisement Her body was laden with over 50 individual signs of injury, with fractures on her shoulders and spine resembling that of a car accident victim, according to experts. The researchers believe the 9th-century woman may have been beaten or flogged - where a victim is repeatedly hit with a whip or a stick. The second round of injuries on her torso and skull suggest the woman was punched or kicked repeatedly, in what experts have likened to torture beatings. Her execution was a final blow to the left side of her head. Advertisement Dr. Mant said her death was likely a form of capital punishment, which were becoming increasingly common in the period the woman is understood to have lived. "Early Medieval England was a time of change regarding law codes - the law code of Æthelberht (c. 589–616) did not include corporal punishment, but that of Wihtred of Kent (690–725) outlined specific punishments, for instance, beatings for those who could not pay fines," explained Dr. Mant. "Capital punishments were also included when willed by the king. "As time passed, more crimes were associated with the death penalty under King Alfred (871–899). Advertisement "Crimes such as theft, treason, witchcraft, and sorcery could be met with the death penalty, which could be brought about by stoning or drowning." 3 An illustration of London in the early Medieval period Credit: Mola The woman's diet consisted of terrestrial foods, like grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy, and eggs. However, her remains show a period of increased stable nitrogen values sometime after she turned 5-years-old. Advertisement This could mean the woman either began eating more meat, or she suffered a period of starvation, during which her body began breaking down its own fat and protein stores. Starvation was a significant threat in early Medieval London, particularly for those who migrated to the city.
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Bizarre 1,350-year-old burial of blue-eyed ‘Ice Prince' uncovered alongside dismembered sacrifice and treasure
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the 1,350-year-old burial chamber of a young blue-eyed boy, packed full with ancient treasures. A small sword, rare silk clothes and a gold cross were just a handful of the items found with the child, indicating he came from a wealthy family. 5 He was buried in leather clothes, according to researchers, with a small sword on a richly decorated belt Credit: BLfD 5 The boy, who experts believe was 2.5-years-old when he died, was buried with silver bracelets on his arms and silver spurs attached to his shoes Credit: BLfD 5 One of the boy's garments was a long-sleeved shirt made from linen and trimmed with strips of silk Credit: BLFD He was buried in leather clothes, according to researchers, with a small sword on a richly decorated belt. The boy, who experts believe was 2.5-years-old when he died, was buried with silver bracelets on his arms and silver spurs attached to his shoes, according to a statement from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation (BLfD). The boy has been dubbed the "Ice Prince" because archaeologists flash froze the burial chamber using liquid nitrogen to excavate its contents in a single block over 14 hours. DNA analysis suggested the boy had blue eyes and light-colored hair, while radiocarbon dating indicates he died between A.D. 670 and 680. READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY A new study of the burial, which was first discovered in the town of Mattsies in Bavaria in 2021, has revealed the body was laid on a fur blanket within the chamber. One of the boy's garments was a long-sleeved shirt made from linen and trimmed with strips of silk. Silk was hard to come by at the time, and was only available through the Byzantine Empire, according to LiveScience. The cross, made from thin strips of gold, may also indicate early Christian beliefs, before Bavaria was Christianised in the eighth century. Most read in Science A bronze basin, a comb, a wooden bowl and a drinking cup with silver fittings were also placed on a woven mat at the foot of the body. Dozens of medieval skeletons in mysterious stone coffins unearthed by man renovating his cellar The remains of hazelnuts, apples and a pear were also found, alongside dismembered remains of an animal. Experts first thought these bones belonged to a dog. However, the creature has since been identified as a piglet, which may have been cooked and placed as a food offering. The latest analysis from BLfD suggests the child died of a "chronic infection" in the middle-ear. "The boy's death must have shocked his regionally important family," the statement said. "They apparently made great efforts to give the child a burial in keeping with his social status." The burial chamber was made of stone, with a stone ceiling that sealed the remains and artefacts off from the world for 1,350 years. The entire burial, therefore, was in "excellent condition," according to the experts. While silk is relatively durable, it is still susceptible to degrading over time, which can make long-term preservation challenging. However, the tightly sealed was able to preserve much of the fabric, researchers said. 5 The boy has been dubbed the "Ice Price" because archaeologists flash froze the burial chamber to excavate its contents in a single block Credit: BLFD 5 The latest analysis from BLfD suggests the child died of a "chronic infection" in the middle-ear Credit: BLFD
Scottish Sun
03-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Bizarre 1,350-year-old burial of blue-eyed ‘Ice Prince' uncovered alongside dismembered sacrifice and treasure
The remains of hazelnuts, apples and a pear were also found, alongside dismembered remains of an animal ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the 1,350-year-old burial chamber of a young blue-eyed boy, packed full with ancient treasures. A small sword, rare silk clothes and a gold cross were just a handful of the items found with the child, indicating he came from a wealthy family. Advertisement 5 He was buried in leather clothes, according to researchers, with a small sword on a richly decorated belt Credit: BLfD 5 The boy, who experts believe was 2.5-years-old when he died, was buried with silver bracelets on his arms and silver spurs attached to his shoes Credit: BLfD 5 One of the boy's garments was a long-sleeved shirt made from linen and trimmed with strips of silk Credit: BLFD He was buried in leather clothes, according to researchers, with a small sword on a richly decorated belt. The boy, who experts believe was 2.5-years-old when he died, was buried with silver bracelets on his arms and silver spurs attached to his shoes, according to a statement from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation (BLfD). The boy has been dubbed the "Ice Prince" because archaeologists flash froze the burial chamber using liquid nitrogen to excavate its contents in a single block over 14 hours. DNA analysis suggested the boy had blue eyes and light-colored hair, while radiocarbon dating indicates he died between A.D. 670 and 680. Advertisement A new study of the burial, which was first discovered in the town of Mattsies in Bavaria in 2021, has revealed the body was laid on a fur blanket within the chamber. One of the boy's garments was a long-sleeved shirt made from linen and trimmed with strips of silk. Silk was hard to come by at the time, and was only available through the Byzantine Empire, according to LiveScience. The cross, made from thin strips of gold, may also indicate early Christian beliefs, before Bavaria was Christianised in the eighth century. Advertisement A bronze basin, a comb, a wooden bowl and a drinking cup with silver fittings were also placed on a woven mat at the foot of the body. Dozens of medieval skeletons in mysterious stone coffins unearthed by man renovating his cellar The remains of hazelnuts, apples and a pear were also found, alongside dismembered remains of an animal. Experts first thought these bones belonged to a dog. However, the creature has since been identified as a piglet, which may have been cooked and placed as a food offering. Advertisement The latest analysis from BLfD suggests the child died of a "chronic infection" in the middle-ear. "The boy's death must have shocked his regionally important family," the statement said. "They apparently made great efforts to give the child a burial in keeping with his social status." The burial chamber was made of stone, with a stone ceiling that sealed the remains and artefacts off from the world for 1,350 years. Advertisement The entire burial, therefore, was in "excellent condition," according to the experts. While silk is relatively durable, it is still susceptible to degrading over time, which can make long-term preservation challenging. However, the tightly sealed was able to preserve much of the fabric, researchers said. 5 The boy has been dubbed the "Ice Price" because archaeologists flash froze the burial chamber to excavate its contents in a single block Credit: BLFD Advertisement
The Sun
03-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Bizarre 1,350-year-old burial of blue-eyed ‘Ice Prince' uncovered alongside dismembered sacrifice and treasure
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the 1,350-year-old burial chamber of a young blue-eyed boy, packed full with ancient treasures. A small sword, rare silk clothes and a gold cross were just a handful of the items found with the child, indicating he came from a wealthy family. 5 5 5 He was buried in leather clothes, according to researchers, with a small sword on a richly decorated belt. The boy, who experts believe was 2.5-years-old when he died, was buried with silver bracelets on his arms and silver spurs attached to his shoes, according to a statement from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation (BLfD). The boy has been dubbed the "Ice Prince" because archaeologists flash froze the burial chamber using liquid nitrogen to excavate its contents in a single block over 14 hours. DNA analysis suggested the boy had blue eyes and light-colored hair, while radiocarbon dating indicates he died between A.D. 670 and 680. A new study of the burial, which was first discovered in the town of Mattsies in Bavaria in 2021, has revealed the body was laid on a fur blanket within the chamber. One of the boy's garments was a long-sleeved shirt made from linen and trimmed with strips of silk. Silk was hard to come by at the time, and was only available through the Byzantine Empire, according to LiveScience. The cross, made from thin strips of gold, may also indicate early Christian beliefs, before Bavaria was Christianised in the eighth century. A bronze basin, a comb, a wooden bowl and a drinking cup with silver fittings were also placed on a woven mat at the foot of the body. The remains of hazelnuts, apples and a pear were also found, alongside dismembered remains of an animal. Experts first thought these bones belonged to a dog. However, the creature has since been identified as a piglet, which may have been cooked and placed as a food offering. The latest analysis from BLfD suggests the child died of a "chronic infection" in the middle-ear. "The boy's death must have shocked his regionally important family," the statement said. "They apparently made great efforts to give the child a burial in keeping with his social status." The burial chamber was made of stone, with a stone ceiling that sealed the remains and artefacts off from the world for 1,350 years. The entire burial, therefore, was in "excellent condition," according to the experts. While silk is relatively durable, it is still susceptible to degrading over time, which can make long-term preservation challenging. However, the tightly sealed was able to preserve much of the fabric, researchers said. 5 5
