Ancient remains found in Co Derry bog 'likely to belong to young woman' who lived 2,000 years ago
The remains have been hailed as “one of the most important archaeological discoveries on the island of Ireland”.
7.13am, 20 Feb 2025
Further research has been carried out following the discovery of the now named Ballymacombs More Woman in bogland near Bellaghy in 2023. It had previously been thought that the remains belonged to a boy aged between 13 and 17 at the time of death. Now it is thought the remains likely belonged to a women aged between 17 and 22 years, and has been hailed as “one of the most important archaeological discoveries on the island of Ireland”.
The study, led by National Museums NI, has involved collaboration with organisations across the UK, Ireland and Europe, including the PSNI, National Museums of Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Copenhagen, University of Glasgow, and University of Bradford.
The remains have been dated to approximately 343 BCE to 1 BCE, during a period known as the Iron Age. Osteoarchaeological analysis has revealed the body to be female, a discovery described as “all the more significant as the majority of bog preserved individuals that have been found from this period are male”.
The individual had an estimated height of around 5ft 6in.
While the body was well preserved, the skull was absent and was not recovered. Research found that cut marks on the neck vertebrae indicate the cause of death as an intentional decapitation in the bog, which may be part of a pattern of ritual and sacrifice during the Iron Age period.
More:
https://www.thejournal.ie/ancient-remains-discovered-derry-bog-likely-belong-young-woman-6627765-Feb2025/