Ancient bones and new technology reveal the face of medieval poverty

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Cambridge University researchers have reconstructed the appearance of a 13th century man who was found in a pauper's grave. Despite knowing what the man looked like, they say there's much about his life that still remains a mystery. (Photo courtesy of Cambridge)

By Peter Holley
March 30

Imagine you died today and your well-preserved skeleton was dug up by archaeologists in about 800 years.

Let's assume these futuristic detectives could discern enough concrete information from your remains to piece together a rough portrait of your existence, one that would raise as many questions about your identity and lifestyle as it answered.

They may start by assigning you a new name — something typical of the early 21st century — like “Ethan,” “Liam” or “Sophia.”

And that shallow depression on the right side of your head? You know it's the result of the concussion you received playing high school soccer. Twenty-eighth century researchers may assume it's something else: blunt force trauma, the kind that speaks to heightened crime rates inside turn-of-the-millennium metropolises that appear barbaric and inhospitable by futuristic standards.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/03/30/ancient-bones-and-new-technology-reveal-the-face-of-medieval-poverty/?utm_term=.7f15fa707150

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1. DURec

Thanks for posting this!