Chilling execution of ‘washed up' Medieval woman revealed as experts say brutal punishment was a ‘warning to others'
London between 600 to 800
AD
, or Lundenwic as it was then known, was a very different place than it is today.
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.
READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY
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
.
Most read in Science
Dr. Mant and her colleagues
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.
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.
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).
"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.
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Just a handful of a popular snack could slow ageing – ‘slashing risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes'
Britons consume almost 180,000 tonnes of this treat every year EAT UP! Just a handful of a popular snack could slow ageing – 'slashing risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes' THE real secret to staying young could lie in your snack draw, scientists have discovered. Just one handful of a popular treat every day was found to slow down cellular ageing – the rate at which all cells in the human body get old. 1 The real secret to staying young could be simply eating a handful of a popular snack every day Credit: Getty Growing older is a natural phase of life. It follows then that as you age, your cells age, too. Advertisement As cells divide and multiply, the protective structures at the end, known as telomeres shorten - a key sign of biological ageing. And the more rapid cellular ageing is, the greater the risk of age-related conditions like heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. But snacking daily on peanuts could slow down the process, a new study claims. Health News BEACH PLEASE We all see the beach but can you spy the person WITHOUT sunglasses? A team of researchers the University of Barcelona turned their attention to the issue after previous studies found eating foods rich in antioxidants may reduce the rate at which cells age. Advertisement They noted: "Nut consumption has been associated with longer telomeres, suggesting a potential role delaying cellular ageing." Antioxidants are specific nutrients, such as vitamins C, E or cartenoids, which help protect the body's cells against daily damage. As cells perform their tasks in the body, they process oxygen and produce a molecule known as a free radical, which can damage cells and DNA. Over time, the damage from free radicals can cause disease. Advertisement Peanuts contain several antioxidants, including vitamin E, niacin and resveratrol. To test their effect on our cells, the researchers recruited 58 young, healthy volunteers to aged 18 to 33 - dividing them into three groups. Over the course of six months one group was asked to snack on 25g of peanuts each day, another ate a daily serving of peanut butter, and the third acted as the control group, eating a control butter. The recruits regularly provided saliva samples for scientists to check their DNA for telomere length. Often compared to the plastic tips on shoelaces, each time a cell divides, these protective caps naturally shorten in a process known as telomere attrition. Advertisement BBC star who was kicked off flight after demanding other passengers not eat peanuts says she's been left 'humiliated' This shortening acts as a biological clock that dictates a cell's lifespan. But slowing down the rate that they do - could help us live longer. The findings, published in the journal Antioxidants found that over the six-month period, the rate at which telomere length in the peanut group shortened was almost half that seen in the peanut butter group. The study's authors said: "These findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating peanuts into the diet as a means of promoting cellular health and longevity. "[And]... the importance of whole foods over processed alternatives in promoting cellular health." Advertisement They added that more research is needed, with longer trials conducted in more diverse populations with older volunteers to validate the results. But the researchers had one last word of warning, advising people to opt for unsalted peanuts, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Britons consume a staggering 180,000 tonnes of peanuts every year and that number is slowly increasing. Are nuts good for you? According to the British Hear Foundation: "You might think of nuts as unhealthy because of their fat content, but that's not the whole picture". Nuts are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and good fats. Nuts are a nutrient-rich food providing us with fibre, protein, vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients that could help reduce our risk of heart and circulatory diseases. Eating nuts and pulses as protein sources, rather than meat and dairy, has also been recommended as a way of eating that is more sustainable for our planet. Some studies also show that people who eat nuts on a regular basis are less likely to have, or die from, heart attacks, although this type of study can't prove that it was definitely the nuts that made the difference. Nut nutrition Although nuts are high in fat, it's mainly healthier unsaturated fat. They contain protein, B vitamins, vitamin E and minerals, including iron, potassium, selenium, magnesium, zinc and copper. Walnuts are also a vegetarian source of omega-3 fats: the kind found in flax, hemp and chia seeds (not exactly the same as the omega-3 found in fish oils, but a good vegetarian alternative). Because of their fat content, nuts are high in calories, so it's best to limit your portion size to a small handful (30g). This amount of nuts generally contains 180 to 225kcal (depending on the type of nuts). That's more than a packet of crisps and less than a 45g bar of milk chocolate, but with more nutrients than either. Peanuts and pistachio nuts have slightly fewer calories than other nuts (but are still high in calories); hazelnuts and almonds are lowest in saturated fat. Eating whole nuts is the best way to include nuts in your diet, especially if you eat them instead of other snacks like crisps or biscuits. Just make sure they are unsalted and don't have coatings, which can add sugar, fat and sometimes salt. Take some out of the packet and put the rest away if you think you'll be tempted to eat more.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Eight easy ways to get your kids into astronomy including best apps & budget gear to combat summer holiday boredom
Get involved with local astronomy groups and observatories holding events or observing sessions WRITTEN IN THE STARS Eight easy ways to get your kids into astronomy including best apps & budget gear to combat summer holiday boredom IF summer holiday boredom is setting in, the answer could be written in the stars. Astronomy is growing in popularity across the UK, with retailer Argos reporting sales of telescopes and binoculars up 1,380 per cent year-on-year. 5 Astronomy is growing in popularity across the UK 5 You don't need to spend lots of money on equipment to get started Credit: Getty Fans are also turning to 'Spacetok' with the astronomy hashtag used more than 540,000 times on social media. With planet-spotting's popularity going into orbit, the good news is you don't need to spend lots of money on equipment to get started. Anyone can have a go on a budget! Outreach astronomer Neill Sanders, founder of has advice for beginners on navigating the night sky. READ MORE ON SPACE SPAC-ED OUT Ed Sheeran takes up astronomy and builds observatory at his huge country home WHERE TO GO: Looking for constellations is not complicated. Whether you live in the city, suburbs or deep in the countryside, you can look up from anywhere. Try in a garden, nearby park or through a bedroom window. Remember to turn off any lights first and give your eyes around 15 minutes to adjust. The darker the sky, the more stars you are likely to see. So if there is a lot of light pollution in your area it can be well worth travelling a few miles to see more. CLOSE CALL 'It was a sign' - Clare girl, 10, spots surprise comet that 'shines brighter than Venus' There are stargazing sites all over the UK and an outing to a designated Dark Sky area is great fun. Many are free and have toilets and parking for your adventure. NIGHT SKIES: A quick online search will offer the lunar calendar with precise moon phases planned out. Try to time your stargazing session so it takes place in the days before, during or just after a new moon. At this time, you should be able to see thousands of stars with only your eyes. If you do have use of a telescope, this is also the best time to see galaxies and star clusters. 5 Try to time your stargazing session so it takes place in the days before, during or just after a new moon Credit: Getty You might even get lucky and see the Milky Way arching across the sky, depending on the month of the year and time of night. Natural moonlight washes out the light from most stars so during a full moon is the worst time to stargaze, as fewer are visible. PRECISE PEEPERS: There's no need for flashy kit. Depending on the amount of light pollution, you could see up to 3,000 stars from a dark-sky location with no equipment at all. But a set of budget binoculars will let you see far more. A basic pair, magnifying 10x50, is ideal for beginners and children, and are widely available from around £30 in many high street stores. If you decide to invest further, specialist supplier has great advice and affordable beginner telescopes. 5 Argos has reported sales of telescopes and binoculars up 1,380 per cent year-on-year Credit: Getty To stabilise your eyes, fix a pair of binoculars to a tripod or rest them on a garden fence or wall. PLAN IT: Dress appropriately — even in a heatwave it can get cold at night. A chair to perch on is useful too, and in a pitch-black area, it is advisable to take along a rechargeable torch. Try to use a red beam, as white light can affect how well your eyes focus once looking upwards. Red bike lights make great stargazing torches, as they don't affect 'dark-adjusted' eyes. Leave your phone in your pocket, too, or put a red filter on it. If you do need to use white light for any reason, be mindful of other stargazers. And always stay safe. Tell someone where you are going and don't forget to take drinks and snacks. ASTRONOMERS APPS: Your smartphone or tablet is a super source of star charts for spotting constellations and learning your way around the night sky. Check out resources such as Star Walk, Star Tracker and Sky Safari in your app store. 5 Sign up to a stargazing app Credit: Supplied Some even present a real-time view of the night sky using GPS, a compass and built-in inclinometer to give details about the object your phone is pointed at. Just remember to look away from your phone and up to the stars. Or opt for a traditional printed star-chart instead. Be patient, as your eyes settle, you will start to see more stars. JOIN A GROUP: Getting together with other people is a great way to start off, and helps make it more affordable. Most of the local astronomy groups and observatories in the UK hold events or observing sessions, which you can attend for free or for a few pounds. TIPS FOR WATCHING METEOR SHOWERS Avoid light pollution - Stargazers should head to a location well away the city lights, the glow of a town, and even that of street lamps - Stargazers should head to a location well away the city lights, the glow of a town, and even that of street lamps Put the phone away - You should give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark so you can see the fainter meteors - You should give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark so you can see the fainter meteors Unobstructed view - Make sure that your star gazing spot has an unobstructed view of the horizon and above, away from treelines or cityscapes is best Stargazing societies welcome everyone — including complete beginners. As well as being a way to learn more, it can also give you access to some hi-tech kit that would be too expensive to buy yourself. Some astronomy groups will even lend telescopes to members. SHAPE SHIFTERS: Swot up on famous constellations and use your star chart or app to find them. Officially, these are the 88 recognised patterns that help astronomers divide the sky into sections, but you will also see smaller patterned shapes known as asterisms. Good ones to seek out are the famous Plough, the lion- shaped Leo and Ursa Major, which resembles a bear. Remember, not all constellations can be seen year-round. Shooting stars are the perfect starting point and they are happening now until August 23 You will not find Orion, the skyward hunter, in the summertime in the UK as he is only visible in winter. With practice, you will soon start to spot planets such as Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, as stars will twinkle but planets won't. SHOOTING STARS: For some added excitement, note dates of meteor showers in UK skies. These atmospheric firework displays take place at the same time annually, and are best seen with the naked eye and in groups. They are perfect starting points for beginners, young stargazers and families. You may see small streaks of shooting space dust or more dramatic colourful bursts. The names of meteor showers are based on the constellation where they appear to radiate from. Clubs and societies often arrange meteor shower meets or even Stay And Gaze events. Now, until August 23 a shower known as Perseids is taking place. Perfect timing for the holidays!
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Irish stargazers urged to look up as major sky event to take place tonight – here's best place to watch
IRISH stargazers are set for one of the best meteor showers in the astronomical calendar tonight, with up to 150 fireballs shooting through the sky per hour. Astronomy experts at the European Space Agency say the display is so good that it will appear as though "natural fireworks will fill the sky". 2 An incredible meteor shower will occur tonight Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 It will reach its peak activity Credit: Getty Images - Getty The Perseid shower will reach its peak activity tonight as Earth passes through debris from an ancient comet. And people may be lucky to see it without requiring any equipment. Plus, you might even spot Jupiter and Venus amid the meteor shower too, as they're due to appear at their closest. The annual meteor shower is the debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which comes around every 20 to 200 years and it is estimated to be more than 5billion years old, older than Earth. The average speed for a Perseid meteor is around 58km per second, which will decorate the sky with fast, bright meteor trains. Meteor trains appear when the air in front of the meteor is squashed and heated to thousands of degrees Celsius. Smaller meteors then vaporise and leave behind a bright trail of light behind them, while the larger meteors can explode into fireballs, and almost none of them hit the ground. If they do hit the ground, they will then be called a meteorite. However, scientists have warned that the brightness of the full Moon may obscure the view. Dr Shyam Balaji, theoretical physicist at King's College London, said: "It is one the fastest and brightest meteor showers of the year, so an astronomical highlight for stargazers. 'Meteor' crashes to earth with loud bang & leaves houses shaking "The best place to view the Perseid meteor shower is in the North East near the constellation Perseus. "While you can look at the whole sky and are likely to see a meteor, that's the target location in order to get the best viewing experience." The best time to catch the meteor shower in its full glory will be between midnight and 5:30 am, when the sky is pitch dark. WATCHING TIPS However, it may be difficult to spot it in light-polluted areas such as busy towns and cities, so they are encouraged to seek a dark area outside of those areas that have no light pollution, even without street lamps. For those living in the capital, Phoenix Park and Bull Island would be ideal spots to take in the sights as there's less light pollution. What's the difference between an asteroid, meteor and comet? Here's what you need to know, according to Nasa... Asteroid: An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. Most are found in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter) but they can be found anywhere (including in a path that can impact Earth) An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. Most are found in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter) but they can be found anywhere (including in a path that can impact Earth) Meteoroid: When two asteroids hit each other, the small chunks that break off are called meteoroids When two asteroids hit each other, the small chunks that break off are called meteoroids Meteor: If a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it begins to vapourise and then becomes a meteor. On Earth, it'll look like a streak of light in the sky, because the rock is burning up If a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it begins to vapourise and then becomes a meteor. On Earth, it'll look like a streak of light in the sky, because the rock is burning up Meteorite: If a meteoroid doesn't vapourise completely and survives the trip through Earth's atmosphere, it can land on the Earth. At that point, it becomes a meteorite If a meteoroid doesn't vapourise completely and survives the trip through Earth's atmosphere, it can land on the Earth. At that point, it becomes a meteorite Comet: Like asteroids, a comet orbits the Sun. However, rather than being made mostly of rock, a comet contains lots of ice and gas, which can result in amazing tails forming behind them, thanks to the ice and dust vaporising. Make sure that your stargazing spot has an unobstructed view of the horizon and above - away from treelines or cityscapes is best. Binoculars might not always be needed - or helpful. They can limit your view of the sky, and in trying to get a more detailed look, you could miss shooting stars out of frame. He added: "For me personally, the best way to view the meteor shower is just with your naked eye because of the speed with which they move. "But you could use Sky Guide or Stellarium or other stargazing apps to get a better viewing experience, to target the right regions of the sky to see the meteor shower."
