tour 3 of 6
The Wetwang Chariot Burial
The Woman
Who was the woman buried at Wetwang? What was life like in the
Early Iron Age? Answers to such questions can only come from
archaeological evidence, as written records of life in Britain
begin between 100 BC and AD 100, at least two hundred years after
her death.
Excavations from Iron Age settlements in East Yorkshire help
build a picture of daily life. Evidence from her skeleton has told
us how old she was, and provided surprising clues about her health
and her appearance. Unfortunately, no direct evidence survives for
her clothes, but the presence of a mirror is very interesting.
As so few people were buried with chariots in the Iron Age, the
woman clearly had a special place within her community. Was she a
queen or princess? Or was she different for other reasons?