human cremation
- Museum number
- 2001,0103.23
- Description
-
Box containing human cremation in 5 bags - consolidated from original 10 bags
Human cremation.
Biological sex: Female? Based on mental eminence and gracile appearance of proximal radius and distal humerus.
Age at death: Adult – original report states 23-35 years but fairly scant evidence from dental development so ‘adult’ only designation given. Canine examined but not dental wear could be assessed.
Stature: undetermined.
Summary: Human bone fragments from cremation burial, urned in bronze pot with hanging bowl accompanying it containing remains of animal burial (Horse and other), including lower left canine and elements of the axial and appendicular skeleton. Pathology included some possible periosteal new bone on fibula fragments and an impacted lower left canine. 10 bags originally from spits/quadrants excavation, human and animal bone was found to be mixed throughout the burial and any order to the deposition was not discernible. Record shots taken of each bag and bones contained in it. Bone now amalgamated into 5 bags, one for each area of the skeleton and one for misc. All areas of the body are represented, no duplication suggesting this likely represents 1 individual.
Total weight in grams: Human bone only = 120g. Note: in original report (EAA 155, 2015: Before Sutton Hoo: the Prehistoric Remains and Early Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Tranmer House, Bromeswell, Suffolk, by C.J.R. Fern) total weight of human bone given for Cremation 8 is 839.8g. Discrepancy in weight unaccounted for.
Percentage of burnt bone identifiable to each body area: skull = 26% of total weight; axial skeleton= 15% of total weight; upper limb= 37.5% of total weight; lower limb= 21.5% of total weight;
Maximum dimension of largest fragment: 58mm
Mean fragment size: 20.5mm
Fragment distribution: 2mm Sieve = 0.5% of total weight; 5mm Sieve = 1.1% of total weight; 10mm Sieve = 89.4% of total weight.
Minimum number of individuals: 1
Colour (percentage of each colour): 97% of total weight blue and grey - incompletely oxidised, up to c. 600°C; 3% fully oxidised white - >c. 600°C (J. McKinley, 2004, Compiling a skeletal inventory: cremated human bone, In. M. Brickley and J. McKinley, Guidelines to the Standards for Recording Human Remains, BABAO and Institute of Field Archaeologists, Reading).
Preservation and Condition: Overall poor. Some warping and cracking of bone fragments; variable surface preservation.
Overall taphonomic score: 50-74% of sound cortical surface.
Preservation skull: Poor
Dentition: Poor
Preservation post cranial: Poor
Condition: Poor
Soft tissues or other: None
Curatorial Comment
Intrusions (human): No
Intrusions (animal): In original contexts 983.5g weight of animal bone found mixed with the burial and in the hanging bowl accompanying it – mostly horse but other species present. However, registered remains are only the human bones recovered from this burial.
- Production date
- 6thC-7thC
- Dimensions
-
Weight: 120 grammes
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 2018
- Acquisition notes
- Finds were discovered in 2000 during the archaeological excavations before the Visitor Centre was constructed. The National Trust donated all of the finds to the British Museum.
This artefact was part of bulk archaeological finds transferred from Suffolk County Council to the BM on 23-10-18.
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 2001,0103.23
- Additional IDs
-
Excavation/small finds number: 489 (Context number)