Archaeologists have unearthed the 4,000-year-old body of an adolescent near Stonehenge, who was buried in the fetal position wearing an amber necklace. Now archaeologists working at the site of Marden Henge in Wiltshire, England, will study the body to determine the the adolescent’s gender, diet, and cause of death.
By examining minerals in the teeth, they may also be able to tell what part of England he or she was from. Scientists hope the studies will provide information about the people who lived near and built Stonehenge in the Vale of Pewsey.
Lead archaeologist Jim Leary told The Daily Mail: “The skeleton is a wonderful discovery which will help tell us what life was like for those who lived under the shadow of Stonehenge at a time of frenzied activity.”
It is possible the adolescent traveled to Stonehenge, though the site where the body was found is 15 miles (24 kilometers) away. Marden Henge, where the body was found, is considered one of the most important ancient ceremonial sites in Britain and it is one of the largest.
“Marden Henge is located on a line which connects Stonehenge and Avebury,” Leary said earlier this month. “This poses some fascinating questions. Were the three monuments competing against each other? Or were they used by the same communities but for different occasions and ceremonies? We hope to find out.”
Republished with permission. Read the original at Ancient Origins.
