Iron
Age Celtic Woman Found
Buried
in Tree Trunk
John
Haynes
University
of Central Florida
ANT-2140: Archaeology and the Rise of Human Culture
Dr.
Neil Duncan
November
9, 2020
1
In a recent article in Smithsonian Magazine online “This
Iron Age Celtic Woman Was Buried in a Hollowed-Out Tree Trunk,” author Meilan
Solly describes the archaeological discovery of an approximate 2,200-year-old
Celtic woman near Zurich, Switzerland.
The body was found with an assortment of jewelry, including a necklace
made with “blue and yellow glass and amber, bronze bracelets, and a bronze belt
chain.”[1] Analysis of the body indicates she was about
40 years old and lived a life of little physical work and maintained a diet
rich in sweet and starchy foods.
Isotope analysis of the bones indicated the woman lived
in Zurich’s Limmat Valley and likely grew up in this same area as she was
buried in.[2] A nearby Celtic settlement has been
discovered dating to the 1st century BCE, but it is believed that
this woman was part of another settlement.
Her body was discovered buried inside of a hollowed-out tree trunk and
that, along with the jewelry and evidence of lifestyle would indicate that she
was someone of higher status. According
to a short article in the online magazine Archaeology, in addition to isotope
analysis being used to determine where she lived, dental analysis was used to
determine the type of diet the woman enjoyed during her life.[3] The analysis of her skeleton indicated that
she probably performed little physical work.
In addition to the jewelry, the woman was found buried in a woolen dress
with a shawl and coat made of sheepskin.
Iron clasps were used to keep the garments pulled together.
2
The
site was found by accident during clearing for a construction project. Another burial was found about 260 feet away
of a Celtic male who also appears to be of high status. He was found with “a sword, shield, and lance
and wearing a complete warrior outfit.”[4] It seems possible, according to
archaeologists, that they knew each other.
While other Celtic sites have been discovered nearby, it is not believed
that these two individuals were associated with them. Most of the nearby finds have been dated to
the 6th century CE. Further
details about the male body have not been provided, however due to the isotope
analysis of the bones and dental analysis of diet, we have a much clearer
picture of the type of lifestyle that this Celtic woman must have lived.
3
Works
Cited
-Solly,
Meilan. “This Iron Age Celtic Woman Was
Buried in a Hollowed-Out Tree Trunk.”
Smithsonian Magazine online. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/iron-age-celtic-woman-was-buried-hollowed-out-tree-trunk-180972773/
-
“2,200-Year-Old Burial Analyzed in Switzerland.” Archaeology online. https://www.archaeology.org/news/7860-190730-zurich-tree-trunk
[1] Solly,
Meilan. “This Iron Age Celtic Woman Was
Buried in a Hollowed-Out Tree Trunk,” Smithsonian Magazine online. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/iron-age-celtic-woman-was-buried-hollowed-out-tree-trunk-180972773/
[2]
Ibid.
[3] “2,200-Year-Old
Burial Analyzed in Switzerland.”
Archaeology Magazine online. https://www.archaeology.org/news/7860-190730-zurich-tree-trunk
[4] Solly, Meilan. “This Iron Age Celtic Woman Was Buried in a
Hollowed-Out Tree Trunk,” Smithsonian Magazine online. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/iron-age-celtic-woman-was-buried-hollowed-out-tree-trunk-180972773/
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