Mummies found in UK and Scotland

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In summary, a recent study has revealed that mummification was more widespread in ancient Britain than previously thought. This practice was likely a result of the belief in an afterlife and the desire to preserve the body for future use. However, it should be noted that the current data may be biased due to the preservation of mummies, making it difficult to determine the actual prevalence of mummification in ancient Britain.
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  • #2
What more would you expect?

This appears to be simply obervational data, and a reasonable explanation of older skeletal material with minimum decay. It is interesting, but mummies have been found in lots of places, for example: the Andes, Peruvian deserts, North Africa, Asia minor.

The people who lived back then are us. They could learn. A common inference when you believe in an after life, is that you may need your body again. Okay. What would you do? Try to find a way to stop bodies from rotting. If you saw that animal carcasses were preserved under certain circumstances - like exposure to natron, slow smoke exposure, or burying in very cold montane areas - then you would say to yourself, 'Hey let's do that for for poor old Hermione'. So Hermione gets preservation of one sort or another. Since she doesn't object, and all her survivors felt better about the whole deal, then other people got the same treatment.

PS: that site requires paid registration to see the whole article.
 
  • #3
"Widespread mummification of the dead in ancient Britain has been kept under wraps — until now."

Well, if mummification reduces damage to the body, we can expect to find a disproportionate number of mummies to ordinary burials.
That does not mean mummification was widespread. It means the sampling is biassed by the mummification process.
 

What is the significance of mummies being found in the UK and Scotland?

The discovery of mummies in the UK and Scotland is significant because it challenges the commonly held belief that mummification only occurred in ancient Egypt. It also provides insight into the funerary practices and beliefs of ancient cultures in these regions.

How were these mummies preserved?

The mummies found in the UK and Scotland were preserved through a process known as natural mummification. This occurs when a body is exposed to specific environmental conditions, such as cold, dry air or acidic peat bogs, which prevent decomposition.

What is the age of these mummies?

The age of the mummies found in the UK and Scotland varies, with some dating back to the Bronze Age (around 4,500 years ago) and others from the Iron Age (around 2,500 years ago). Some mummies have also been found to be more recent, dating to the medieval period.

What have scientists learned from studying these mummies?

By studying these mummies, scientists have been able to learn about the health, diet, and lifestyle of ancient people in the UK and Scotland. They have also gained insight into burial practices and cultural beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife in these regions.

Are there any challenges with studying these mummies?

Yes, there are several challenges with studying these mummies. Due to the natural mummification process, many of the mummies are highly fragile and can easily deteriorate if not handled carefully. Additionally, the mummies may have been damaged or disturbed by previous excavations or environmental factors, making it difficult to gather accurate information about them.

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