New forensic techniques in archaeology reveal existence of high status Africans living in 4th Century AD York

A picture of multi-cultural Britain in 4th Century AD has been revealed using the latest forensic techniques in archaeology. The new research demonstrates that Roman York of the period had individuals of North African descent moving in the highest social circles.

The research was conducted by the University of Reading’s Department of Archaeology, working with the Yorkshire Museum’s collections. It will feature in the museum’s brand new exhibition opening in August 2010, which aims to throw new light on the diversity of populations living in Roman York. 

Part of the AHRC Diasporas, Migration and Identities strategic research programme the research used modern forensic ancestry assessment and isotope (oxygen and strontium) analysis of Romano-British skeletal remains such as the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’, in conjunction with evidence from grave goods buried with her.

Dr Hella Eckardt, Senior Lecturer at the University of Reading, said: “Multi-cultural Britain is not just a phenomenon of more modern times. Analysis of the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’ and others like her, contradicts common popular assumptions about the make up of Roman-British populations as well as the view that African immigrants in Roman Britain were of low status, male and likely to have been slaves.”

Running Time: 8.52 minutes

Size: 12mb

 A transcript of this podcast is also available (pdf 55kb)