HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS FROM TIMBERHILL, CASTLE MALL, NORWICH (EXCAVATED 1989-91)
Author(s): S Anderson
Human skeletal remains from 189 burials and 42 disarticulated contexts are discussed. The material dates from the 12th-16th centuries AD. The articulated remains represent a minimum of 149 adults (59 males, 76 females, 14 unsexed) and 35 children. Demographic, metrical, morphological, dental and pathological aspects of the population are considered, and compared with contemporary East Anglian and Northern groups. In general, the skeletal remains of people buried in this cemetery suggest that they were similar in appearance to other groups in the region, including the earlier Norwich group at Farmer's Avenue. Non-metric traits also suggested some continuity between the two sites, and possible family groupings were identified within the cemetery. Dental and pahological lesions produced patterns similar to those occurring in other Saxon and Mediaeval groups, although the prevalence of cribra orbitalia was relatively high and may suggest a diet deficient in iron. Physical stress particularly affected the spines and feet/ankles of the people in this group, and it was suggested that this may be related to occupation and environmental factors. The most unusual aspect of this cemetery was the presence of a high level of leprosy, possibly affecting a fifth of the total group. A number of other interesting pathologies were observed, including a good example of Perthes' disease, a fractured elbow with pseudarthrosis, and a possible case of poliomyelitis.
- Report Number:
- 73/1996
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 153
- Keywords:
- Human Bone Human Remains
