Research reveals multi-cultural history of York (From York Press)

Research reveals multi-cultural history of York

9:22am Friday 26th February 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(2)

FORENSIC research has shown that York has been a multi-cultural city since at least the 4th Century.

Research carried out on collections in the Yorkshire Museum, demonstrates that individuals of North African descent moved in the highest circles of society in Roman York.

By studying Romano-British skeletal remains in the museum’s collection, such as the “Ivory Bangle Lady,” researchers from the University of Reading have shown that the population of Roman York included women and children of high status from Romanised North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Dr Hella Eckhardt, senior lecturer at the University of Reading, said the research shows multi-cultural Britain is not a modern phenomenon.

She said: “Analysis of the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’ and others like her, contradicts common popular assumptions about the make up of Roman-British populations.

“By analysing the facial features of the Ivory Bangle Lady, the chemical signature of the food and drink she consumed, as well as evaluating the evidence from the burial site, we are now able to establish a clear profile of her ancestry and social status.”

The research published in the March edition of the journal Antiquity, shows that the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’ was a high status young woman, who was buried in Roman York in the late fourth century.

Her grave, which was uncovered near Sycamore Terrace, contained jet and elephant ivory bracelets, earrings, pendants and a glass mirror.

The research, along with the skeleton and grave goods of the ‘Ivory Bracelet Woman’, will feature in a new exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum, opening in August.

Dr Hella Eckhardt, senior lecturer at the University of Reading, said the research shows multicultural Britain is not a modern phenomenon.

She said: “Analysis of the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’ and others like her, contradicts common popular assumptions about the make-up of Roman-British populations.

“By analysing the facial features of the Ivory Bangle Lady, the chemical signature of the food and drink she consumed, as well as evaluating the evidence from the burial site, we are now able to establish a clear profile of her ancestry and social status.” The research published in the March edition of the journal Antiquity, shows that the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’ was a high-status young woman who was buried in Roman York in the late fourth century.

Her grave, which was uncovered near Sycamore Terrace, contained jet and elephant ivory bracelets, earrings, pendants and a glass mirror.

The most famous artefact found buried with the “Ivory Bangle Woman,” is a rectangular mount of bone, thought to have been from an unrecorded wooden casket, inscribed with the words “Hail, sister, may you live in God,” indicating she may have held Christian beliefs.

The exhibition, entitled Roman York: Meet the People Of The Empire, opens in August.