Digital image generated from a 3D scan of Beachy Head Woman’s skull. Skin, hair and eye pigmentation informed by ancient DNA results. Image courtesy of Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University
For the first time, scientists at the Natural History Museum have completed a comprehensive analysis of the individual known as Beachy Head Woman, and today reveal that she originated from southern England.
The skeletal remains of this Roman-aged female individual were uncovered in the collections of Eastbourne Town Hall in 2012. Subsequent research suggested her origins were in sub-Saharan Africa; theories later emerged that she originated from the Mediterranean.
The supposed changing identity of the Beachy Head Woman over the last decade shows how important it is for scientists to revisit previous findings using new methods.
The identity of a Roman-era individual found in southern England has finally been resolved after scientists at the Natural History Museum were able to sequence high quality DNA from her skeletal remains.
Once theorised to have origins in sub-Saharan Africa or possibly the Mediterranean, the first comprehensive scientific study to be carried out on the Beachy Head Woman has revealed that her origins were in fact much closer to home.
The nationwide team led by Dr Selina Brace and Dr William Marsh at London's Natural History Museum and Andy Walton of University College London, re-examined the ~2,000-year-old individual with the latest technologies and today announced that Beachy Head Woman descended from the local British population of Roman-era southern England.
Dr William Marsh, who performed the latest DNA analysis, said, “By using state-of-the-art DNA techniques we were able to resolve the origins of this individual. We show she carries genetic ancestry that is most similar to other individuals from the local population of Roman-era Britain.”
Little has been certain about this individual since her discovery, until now. Radiocarbon dating showed she died between 129 and 311AD, corresponding to the Roman occupation of Britain. Analysis of her skeletal remains suggest that she was around 18-25 years old when she died and stood at just over 4.9 feet tall. A healed wound on her leg suggests a serious but non-fatal injury at some point in her life. Dietary analysis looking at the carbon and nitrogen values in her bones also revealed that her diet likely included a lot of seafood.
Tracing the origins of Beachy Head Woman
The Roman-era individual was brought to light in 2012 when her remains were uncovered in the collections of Eastbourne Town Hall. Details on the box she was found within suggested that the skeleton had been found at the nearby headland, Beachy Head, in the 1950s but no details of an excavation have yet to be recovered.
The Beachy Head Woman’s story became more intriguing when initial morphometric analysis suggested she originated from sub-Saharan Africa; this result informed a display at the Eastbourne Museum and captured media attention. Then in 2017, unpublished DNA work suggested she was more likely to have come from the Mediterranean rather than Africa, possibly Cyprus. However, this finding was based upon limited DNA data, insufficient for robust conclusions, leaving many questions about the Beachy Head Woman unanswered.
Merit researcher at the Museum and senior author on the paper, Dr Selina Brace, said, “Our scientific knowledge and understanding is constantly evolving, and as scientists, it’s our job to keep pushing for answers. Thanks to the advancement of technology that has occurred in the past decade since Beachy Head Woman first came to light, we are excited to report these new comprehensive data and share more about this individual and her life.”
Genomics is one of the Natural History Museum's research themes. The advancement of DNA sequencing technology has given scientists an entirely new way to monitor nature and understand biodiversity.
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