Medieval Skeletons Examined in New Documentary

Expert analysis reveals details of early medieval remains

A new online documentary has explored the remains of three individuals from early medieval England, providing insights into their lives and deaths through expert examination.

Details of the documentary

The one-hour film, titled Medieval Cold Case: Death in the Dark Ages, features Dr Jo Buckberry from the University of Bradford’s Department of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences. The documentary was released on YouTube and investigates three skeletons dating from the early medieval period, broadly defined as the fifth to the 11th centuries.

Dr Buckberry offers her expertise on the skeletal remains, which include:

• A man killed in battle, with multiple injuries consistent with sword wounds
• A man who suffered from leprosy, with evidence of the disease in his bones
• A man who was decapitated, possibly as a form of execution

Examination of the skeletons

The first skeleton is that of a male in his twenties, dated between the seventh and 10th century. He was originally buried in a cemetery in Eccles, Kent, and was excavated in 1976. Analysis revealed he sustained around 30 injuries to various parts of his body, including the pelvis, jaw, ribs, neck, and head, indicating he died from wounds sustained in battle.

The second skeleton belonged to a male, also in his twenties, who had leprosy. The condition was identified through changes in his upper jaw and hand bones, with the infection extending into his leg bones. This individual was buried in a churchyard in Northamptonshire.

The third skeleton is of a male aged between 21 and 32 years, dating from the seventh to 11th century. He was found to have been decapitated, which is interpreted as likely punishment for a crime.

Context and production

The documentary was produced by History Hit, an organisation known for creating online historical documentaries and podcasts covering various periods including the Iron Age, Tudor era, and Second World War. Their YouTube channel has a large following, with over 1.7 million subscribers.

This film follows previous collaborations with the University of Bradford, including an earlier episode focusing on medieval skeletons from Stirling Castle. The programme also includes a question and answer segment responding to viewers’ queries.

Statements from contributors

Dr Jo Buckberry commented on the project, noting the opportunity to discuss individuals from the University’s extensive skeletal collection and highlighting the significance of the findings related to the early medieval period.

Matt Lewis, History Hit’s Senior Presenter, expressed his interest in returning to the University to continue exploring historical human remains and emphasised the importance of treating these remains with respect.

Significance of the project

The collaboration reflects ongoing research and teaching in archaeological and forensic sciences at the University of Bradford. It also demonstrates efforts to share academic knowledge with wider audiences through innovative media, contributing to public understanding of human history and culture.