Despite being trapped in the tree’s root system, the skeleton told a fascinating story.
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A shocking discovery on the Emerald Isle is forcing archaeologists to dig a bit deeper for a glimpse into medieval life.
WHEN locals ventured out to inspect a downed tree following a violent storm they didn’t expect to find a skeleton dangling from its roots.
“The lower leg bones, however, remained intact in the ground”, Dowd told the paper. SLAS was then asked to conduct a rescue excavation.
The 215-year-old tree was uprooted in Might in Collooney, a city within the county of Sligo, on the northwest coast of Eire. Hence, when the tree was uprooted, the skeleton was broken in half.
Analysis of the bones by osteoarchaeologist Dr Linda Lynch revealed the remains were those of a 17-20 year old man. He was over 5ft 10in in height making him taller than the average medieval person. His legs remained buried.
Radiocarbon analysis carried out by Queen’s University, Belfast, indicates that man died sometime between 1030 and 1200AD.
The researchers additionally dated the bones by measuring the, a naturally occurring radioactive isotope additionally referred to as radiocarbon.
His upper body had essentially grown into the tree’s roots.
An archaeologist examines the medieval skeleton (including the spine, shown here) at the site in Ireland.
The science team is continuing to investigate the remains.
The SLAS says, despite the violent nature of the man’s death, he was still afforded a formal Christian burial.
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Irish Archaeology reported the firm’s director Dr. Marion Dowd said there were no other known burials in the area, “but historical records do indicate a possible graveyard and church in the vicinity'”.
