Last year a mass grave of 51 bodies was found in Weymouth, England while construction workers prepared an area for the sailing venue of the 2012 Olympics.
And on Friday, March 12, tests results showed that the 51 bodies with decapitated heads were that of Vikings from the Dark Ages.
According to David Score, project manager for Oxford Archaeology, “To find out that the young men executed were Vikings is a thrilling development.”
Additionally, Score remarked, "Any mass grave is a relatively rare find, but to find one on this scale, from this period of history, is extremely unusual and presents an incredible opportunity to learn more about what is happening in Dorset at this time."
Carbon dating on the remains revealed they were living in the time period from A.D. 890 to 1030. It was also determined that the men met a rather horrid death, beheaded by their captors.
Tests were conducted on the men’s teeth which revealed several things including the fact that they were from a colder region than England, perhaps from Sweden or Norway. By using isotope analysis the type of drinking water can be determined, thus revealing the person’s habitat according to Jane Evans who is an isotope geochemist working at the survey site.
Evans expressed excitement about the discovery stating, "This is the best example we have ever seen of a group of individuals that clearly have their origins outside Britain."
Additionally, the isotopes also revealed the men had consumed a diet high in protein which is comparable to sites already discovered in Sweden.
The mass grave was discovered as work was conducted on the Weymouth Relief Road which should relieve traffic congestion on the highway that leads to Weymouth. The sailing events of the 2012 London Olympics will take place at Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbor.
Angus Campbell of the Dorset County Council had said that earlier construction had already other finds including prehistoric and Iron Age discoveries.
Campbell said that "The burial pit took us all by surprise and its story gets more fascinating as the analysis goes on."
Comments
Hey, I am quite interested in the method used to find out where do they come from. Does anybody have any information (or link to a web page) to explain a bit more about it?
Thanks in advance.
Hey, I am quite interested in the method used to find out where do they come from. Does anybody have any information (or link to a web page) to explain a bit more about it?
Thanks in advance.
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