The Mysterious Ivory Bangle Lady

A Roman Britain Archaeological Mystery Year 6 History Discovering Life in Ancient York

What is Archaeology?

The study of human history through objects Archaeologists are like detectives They dig up clues from the past Every object tells a story

Roman York - Eboracum

York was called Eboracum by the Romans Important military fortress Home to soldiers and families People from across the Roman Empire lived there

The Discovery in 1901

Detective Work: What Can Bones Tell Us?

Look at the evidence Age: around 18-23 years old Gender: female Height: about 5 feet tall What else might we discover?

The Precious Grave Goods

Ivory bangles from elephant tusks Jet jewelry from Whitby Glass beads from across the Empire These were expensive luxury items

The Big Mystery

If she was so wealthy, why was she buried outside the city walls? Roman law said only poor people and slaves were buried there What could explain this puzzle?

Solving the Mystery: Scientific Evidence

{"left":"Isotope Analysis of Teeth:\n• Born in North Africa\n• Moved to Britain as child\n• Ate Mediterranean diet","right":"DNA and Chemical Analysis:\n• Mixed African and European ancestry\n• High status lifestyle\n• Possible immigrant family"}

Who Was the Ivory Bangle Lady?

Likely born in North Africa Came to York as a young child From a wealthy family Part of the diverse Roman Empire Shows York was a multicultural city

What the Ivory Bangle Lady Teaches Us

'Archaeology shows us that people have always moved around the world, and that ancient Britain was home to people from many different places.' - Modern archaeologists studying Roman Britain