Archeology Forensic Reveal Wealthy 4th Century AD Africans

Ivory Bangle Lady

I could not resist sharing this story with my readers. Those of you that are familiar with ChocolateCity.cc are aware that we DO NOT celebrate Black History month – simply, because we celebrate it 365 days in the year. So in essence, we celebrate "BLACK History Year" – in January, February, March….. you got the point!

But on a more serious note, I want to share a story that I read on the Yorkshire Museum, United Kingdom website.

Using the latest forensic techniques in archeology, scientist in Yorkshire was able to proved that a multi-cultural Britain existed in the 4th Century AD. The scientists demonstrates that Roman York of the period had individuals of African descent moving in the highest social circles. The research was conducted by the University of Reading's Department of Archeology, working with the Yorkshire Museum's collections.

Analysis of a recent skeletal remain showed that a Romano-British skeletal remains of a Black lady, also known as the 'Ivory Bangle Lady' was buried in royal style. The Ivory Bangle Lady was a high status young woman who was buried in Roman York (Sycamore Terrace). Dated to the second half of the fourth century, her grave contains jet and elephant ivory bracelets, earrings, pendants, beads, a blue glass jug and a glass mirror. The most famous object from this burial is a rectangular openwork mount of bone, possibly from an unrecorded wooden casket, which reads 'Hail, sister, may you live in God', indicating Christian beliefs.