Beachy Head Lady

Last updated
Beachy Head Lady
Discoveredc. 1950s
Beachy Head, East Sussex, England
Present locationEastbourne Museums
IdentificationMES33810
Period2nd or 3rd century AD (Roman)

The Beachy Head Lady or Beachy Head Woman is an ancient woman whose skeleton was discovered at Beachy Head, East Sussex, England. The Beachy Head Lady lived during the Roman period, likely in the timeframe of 129 to 311 AD. As new techniques have been applied to the remains their interpretation has changed, with an initial proposal of sub-Saharan ancestry supplanted by genetic analysis indicating close similarity to Roman period individuals from southern Britain and Northern Europe.

Contents

Remains and investigation

As part of the Eastbourne Ancestors project, over 300 sets of excavated human remains excavated were re-examined in 2012. Heritage Officer Jo Seaman and his team found two boxes at Eastbourne Town Hall labelled "Beachy Head, something to do with 1956 or 1959". [1] Inside was a very well-preserved human skeleton. [2] The Beachy Head Lady is the most complete skeleton in the collection. [3]

Beachy Head where the remains were originally discovered in the 1950s. Beachy Head, East Sussex, England-2Oct2011.jpg
Beachy Head where the remains were originally discovered in the 1950s.

Examination revealed that Beachy Head Lady was aged around 22 to 25 when she died, and was between 4 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 1 inch (1.45 m and 1.55 m) tall. [3] Radiocarbon dating suggested a date range of 129 to 311 AD for the remains, [4] and isotope analysis indicated that the Beachy Head Lady was born and grew up in south-east England. [3]

Initially, the forensic analysis of the skull led to an assessment that the woman had originated from Sub-Saharan Africa, [5] leading to claims that she was the earliest known person of Black African origin in Britain. [6] This was undermined in 2023 by analysis of a very partial DNA sample which placed her ancestry in Southern Europe. [2] In 2025, DNA analysis on the skeleton using modern techniques revealed she carries genetic ancestry that is most similar to other individuals from the local population of Roman-era Britain. [7] [8]

Public display and reception

The remains were exhibited to the public for the first time at the Eastbourne Redoubt in 2014. [9] In 2021, the remains were moved to the newly-refurbished "Beachy Head Story" visitor centre, closer to where they were found. [10] The results of the DNA test published in 2023 led to the removal of a plaque commemorating her as “the first black Briton." [11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ashworth, James (17 December 2025). "The changing story of the Beachy Head Woman". London: Natural History Museum. Retrieved 17 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. 1 2 Seaman, Jo (23 August 2022) [5 April 2018]. "The mystery of Beachy Head Lady". Museum Crush. Retrieved 26 November 2022. DNA analysis has since concluded that that although she grew up in Eastbourne, the place of her ancestry is in Southern Europe – most likely Cyprus.
  3. 1 2 3 "Beachy Head: Inhumation (MES33810)". The Keep. East Sussex County Council. Archived from the original on 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  4. ↑ Andy Walton; William Marsh; Alex Strang; Jonathan Seaman; Kelly Van Doorn; Hella Eckardt; Caroline Wilkinson; Ian Barnes; Selina Brace (January 2026). "Beachy Head Woman: clarifying her origins using a multiproxy anthropological and biomolecular approach". Journal of Archaeological Science. 185: 2. doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106445 .
  5. ↑ "Centuries old Beachy Head Lady's face revealed". BBC News. 2014-02-01. Archived from the original on 2025-08-26. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  6. ↑ Olusoga, David (2016). Black and British: a Forgotten History. Pan Macmillan. p. 33. ISBN   9781447299745.
  7. ↑ James Ashworth (17 December 2025). "The changing story of the Beachy Head Woman". Natural History Museum - Science News.
  8. ↑ Andy Walton; William Marsh; Alex Strang; Jonathan Seaman; Kelly Van Doorn; Hella Eckardt; Caroline Wilkinson; Ian Barnes; Selina Brace (January 2026). "Beachy Head Woman: clarifying her origins using a multiproxy anthropological and biomolecular approach". Journal of Archaeological Science. 185. doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2025.106445 .
  9. ↑ Mintz, Zoe (2 February 2014). "Face Of 'Beachy Head Lady' Revealed, Roman Era Woman Is A 'Fantastic Discovery' [PHOTO]". International Business Times. New York City. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  10. ↑ Panons, Jacob (16 April 2021). "Eastbourne museum to open next month after gift shop welcomes customers". Eastbourne Herald.
  11. ↑ Jack Blackburn (26 October 2023). "Plaque for first black Briton is shelved (she was from Cyprus)". The Times . Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2023. Parish councillors in the village of East Dean in East Sussex voted to remove the plaque
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