image credit: Christopher Rynn, University of Dundee Happy Medieval Monday!
In 2017, Professor Susan Black of the University of Dundee, Scotland, was on an archaeological dig on Black Isle, Ross-shire, Scotland with Dr. Christopher Rynn and three PhD students when they discovered the remains of a man buried in a cave. According to Professor Black, he had been brutally beaten to death, but buried carefully, laid in an unusual position, and in a protected location in the back of the cave. Despite his battered skull, researchers at the University of Dundee were able to reconstruct his face using digital imaging. To me, the man looks strikingly modern. Why do I feel a bit surprised? What else should I expect of anyone without worldly trappings affecting their appearance? It's so easy to dehumanize others -- whether in the past or, worse, even in the present. He might have been a bad guy. He might have been cruel. He might have been a great leader, betrayed. We will probably never who he was. But from now on, when I think of the Picts, his face will come to mind. There've been a lot of archaeological discoveries all over Scotland the past few centuries. One very impressive site is the hillfort at Burghead. Radiocarbon dating shows that the fort's construction began as early as the 3rd century, and it's presumed to have flourished between the 4th and 9th centuries. Over 12 acres, it's the largest pictish settlement ever discovered and surely a main center of power for the Picts. Findings at the site show it was a center of both commerce and religion. I owe it to the Picts to write at least one more post about them -- about their writings, their art, their body-paint. But it will be a few weeks. I'll be away and mostly offline for a little while. I can hardly wait to tell you all about it! Be sure to visit the marvelous, medieval ladies Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis! Wishing you a happy, wonderfully medieval Monday!
6 Comments
Dianne
9/26/2022 09:54:49
He certainly looks like someone modern. Thank you for sharing
Reply
Anastasia
10/11/2022 17:17:53
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and to comment. :)
Reply
9/26/2022 11:28:16
Hope you're doing lots of research and lots of relaxation!
Reply
Anastasia
10/11/2022 17:18:19
Hi, Kim! It was so much fun!
Reply
Mary Morgan
9/26/2022 18:30:10
Another fabulous post on the Picts, Anastasia! I hope you got all packed for your flight to Scotland. Have an amazing time in the magical land. xo
Reply
Anastasia
9/27/2022 03:00:41
Mary, thank you so much!😊❤️
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Romance!It's no secret that I prefer fat HEAs. Where better than in a beautiful romance? Archives
January 2025
Categories
All
NewsletterFrom me to you with a smile. Thank you!You have successfully joined our subscriber list. |