In a cave in Cumbria, archaeologists found the oldest human remains in northern Britain — a young female child just 2.5-3.5 years old, named the 'Ossick Lass.' DNA analysis identified her sex for the first time at this age. She was buried approximately 11,000 years ago 🦴
11,000-year-old female child burial discovered in Cumbria cave
Site mentioned
📍 Renning's Wood Bone Cave
Key facts
- Oldest human remains in northern Britain identified as young female child aged 2.5-3.5 years
- Discovered in Renning's Wood Bone Cave in Cumbria, excavated by local archaeologist Martin Stables
- First time specific age and sex determined for such old child remains via DNA analysis
- Third oldest Mesolithic burial in northwest Europe
- Jewelry found at site includes perforated deer tooth and beads carbon-dated to 11,000 years old
- Remains named 'the lass' in local vernacular by archaeologist Martin Stables
- International team led by University of Lancaster extracted DNA and conducted analysis
- Published in proceedings of the Prehistoric Society
Sources
The 'Ossick Lass': Identifying the earliest human remains discovered ...the-past.com
... early Mesolithic girl who was around 2.5-3.5 years old when she died in c.9290-8925 BC. Dubbed the 'Ossick Lass' (based on local vernacular ...
She Died Before She Turned 4, and a Cave Preserved Her Story for ...indiandefencereview.com
Scientists have confirmed that fragments of bone recovered from a cave in Cumbria belong to a young girl who died approximately 11,000 years ago ...
Britain's oldest human remains identified as young girl - Earth.comearth.com
Scientists have identified Britain's oldest known human remains as a young girl buried 11000 years ago, revealing early burial practices.
'Oldest northerner' cave remains are of young girl - BBCbbc.com
Archeologists name the girl "Ossick Lass", meaning Urswick girl in the local dialect. Local archaeologist Martin Stables began excavations at ...
Northern Britain's oldest human remains are of a young female child ...phys.org
The oldest human remains ever found in Northern Britain have been identified as a young female three years after being discovered in a ...
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