Beachy Head Lady facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beachy Head Lady |
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|---|---|
| Discovered | c. 1950s Beachy Head, East Sussex |
| Present location | Eastbourne Museums |
| Identification | MES33810 |
| Period | 2nd or 3rd century AD (Roman) |
The Beachy Head Lady is an ancient skeleton found near Beachy Head in East Sussex, England. She lived during the Roman period, between about 125 and 245 AD. Scientists studied her DNA and found that even though she was born in the Eastbourne area of Britain, her family came from Southern Europe, probably Cyprus.
Discovering the Beachy Head Lady
In the 1950s, a human skeleton was found at Beachy Head. For many years, it was kept in storage. Later, as part of a project to study old human remains, experts looked at it again.
A team led by Heritage Officer Jo Seaman found two boxes. They were labeled "Beachy Head" and mentioned the years 1956 or 1959. Inside these boxes was a very well-preserved human skeleton. This skeleton turned out to be the most complete one in their collection.
What We Learned About Her
Scientists used special tests to learn more about the Beachy Head Lady:
- When she lived: Radiocarbon dating showed she lived between 125 and 245 AD.
- Where she grew up: Tests on her bones (called isotope analysis) showed she grew up in southeast England. She might have been born there.
- Her family's origin: At first, people thought her skull shape meant she was from Africa. However, more advanced DNA tests proved this was incorrect. Her DNA showed she was likely from Southern Europe, probably Cyprus.
- Her age and height: When she died, the Beachy Head Lady was around 22 to 25 years old. She was quite short, standing between 4 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 1 inch (1.45 m and 1.55 m) tall.
Where to See Her
The Beachy Head Lady was shown to the public for the first time at the Eastbourne Redoubt. In 2021, her remains were moved to a new visitor center. This center, called "Beachy Head Story," is much closer to where she was originally found.
See also
