Women were warriors and raiders in the Iron Age
Archaeological finds indicate that women may have fought as warriors in the Iron Age after researchers studied the artifacts 2000 years ago.
New archaeological finds may reveal how women fought as warriors in the Iron Age, writes Daily Mail. Scientists have gained new insights into the role of women after examining 2,000-year-old artifacts at a burial site in the Isles of Scilly, UK.
Discovered in 1999, the site was something of a mystery — however, archaeologists have unearthed a sword and shield next to a man's remains, according to the Daily Mail.
While these items were commonly associated with a man, a brooch was also found next to the man and a bronze mirror — that is, objects that usually belonged to women.
Dr Sarah Stark, a biologist of human skeletons from the Historical University of England, believes that this can serve as evidence that in the Iron Age there were female warriors.
«This may suggest that women's involvement in raids and other forms of violence was more common in Iron Age society than we previously thought,» Sarah Stark told The Times.
«Our finds provide an exciting new way to interpret this important burial. They testify to the leading role of women in the Iron Age war on Scilly,» said Dr. Stark. what might be discovered by visiting other badly damaged graves.”
Dr. Stark added that while we may never fully know the symbolism of the items found in the graves, the sword and mirror may point to that this woman had a high status in her community.
This may also indicate that these materials may have played a role in local warfare, organizing or leading raids on rival factions.
The Iron Age in Britain began at the same time as the end of the Bronze Age. It began around 800 BC. and ended in 43 AD when the Romans invaded. As the name suggests, massive changes took place during this period due to the introduction of iron processing technology. During this period, the population of Britain probably exceeded one million. This was made possible by new forms of agriculture, such as the development of new varieties of barley and wheat.
The invention of the iron-tipped plow made it possible for the first time to cultivate crops in heavy clay soils. Some of the major advances of this period included the introduction of the potter's wheel, the lathe (used for woodworking), and the rotary mill for grinding grain.
There are about 3,000 Iron Age settlements in Great Britain. Some of them were used as permanent settlements, others as places for meetings, trade and religious activities.
At that time, most people lived in small farms with large families. The standard house was a round structure of wood or stone with a thatched or sod roof.
Burial methods varied, but it seems that most people were disposed of by «reincarnation» — meaning that they were deliberately left unprotected.
There are also a few “bog bodies” from this period that testify to violent deaths in the form of ritual murders and sacrifices.
Towards the end of this period, Roman influence in the western Mediterranean and southern France.
It seems that before the Roman conquest of England in 43 AD. they had already established ties with many tribes and could exert some political influence, writes the Daily Mail.
After 43 AD. all of Wales and England beyond Hadrian's Wall became part of the Roman Empire, while Iron Age life in Scotland and Ireland lasted longer.