ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered evidence of an ancient funeral ritual involving the deliberate removal of human brains and the fashioning of bones into sharp tools in Scotland for the first time.
Analysis by researchers from the University of York of the remains of two individuals discovered at Loch Borralie in Sutherland found evidence of “postmortem skeletal modification” for the first time in Britain.
Identifying funerary practices from the Iron Age is “notoriously difficult” due to human remains rarely surviving.
However, experts said the “unique environmental conditions” of north-west Scotland helped the preservation of bone, allowing scientists to take a rare glimpse into the prehistoric past.
Archaeologists first suspected that the tapered bones were due to rat gnawing, but re-analysis discovered that the remains had been fashioned into tools, before being buried roughly 2000 years ago.
The two individuals, an adult female and a juvenile male, were found buried together in a low stone cairn, with DNA and isotope analysis revealing the pair moved around the north of Scotland before their deaths.
Dr Laura Castells Navarro, from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, said the adult displayed “incisions” on the inside of her cranium, suggesting her brain had been “intentionally removed” after her death.
“To find bodies of this age so well preserved is rare, but to discover evidence of a funeral ritual we previously knew nothing about was such a surprise, and very exciting,” Navarro said.
“The adult female displayed incisions on the inside of her cranium, suggesting her brain had been intentionally removed after death.
“We have no other comparison of this type of practice, but we know that the dead were curated and treated carefully in Iron Age Britain, so our understanding is that this bone modification is within that same tradition of care.”
Bones, including both humeri, ulna, and femur, had also been carefully tapered toward the ends into sharp points, suggesting they may have had use as tools before being buried.
Dr Castells Navarro added: “The motivation behind the extensive manipulation of the skeletal remains is very difficult to interpret, but the care with which she was reassembled and deposited in the cairn possibly suggests she commanded a level of reverence and respect by her community.”
Genetic data revealed family connections stretching much further across the sea: to the Orkney Islands, roughly 108 miles to the north-east, and to Applecross, about 140 miles to the south-west.
Researchers argue that this web of DNA proves that family groups in prehistoric Scotland were highly mobile and interconnected by water.
Dr Castells Navarro explained: “Our research shows that prehistoric maritime communities periodically moved around the north coast and Northern Isles of Scotland, possibly in small groups.
“This movement allowed for the spread and maintenance of cultural practices and traditions.”
