Buried Iron Age fighter ‘speared like a hedgehog’
THE body of young man buried with spears sticking out of his body “like a hedgehog” is one of the more bizarre findings at a recently discovered Iron Age burial site in Yorkshire.
The Pocklington site, which is now recognised as being of international importance, is being hailed as one of the largest and most significant Iron Age findings.
Historians say the discov- ery may shape our understanding of this period.
The “speared burial” figure was found among 75 square barrows which contained skeletons dating back as far as 800 BC.
At this plot, archaeologists found the body of a man in his late teens or early 20s who was laid to rest with his sword at his side. But before his grave was covered he had half a dozen spears pressed ritualistically into him.
Paula Ware, managing di- rector at MAP Archaeological Practice, who revealed the site, said this would have produced a mound with the spear shafts protruding like “the spikes of a hedgehog” visible for years afterwards.
Other findings include one woman who had died in childbirth and a child who was buried with a bangle on each of its limbs.
Several people were interred without any accompaniment, but some had a variety of grave goods with them, including brooches, bangles, pendants, glass beads, pots and prehistoric weapons.
Ms Ware said: “We are hoping these findings shed light on the ritual of Iron Age burial … This is a hugely important discovery. We will understand much more once the full analytical process has been completed – but as with any significant finding, this will take time to process.”
The analytical process will reveal how those buried at the site died, what stresses their bodies had experienced during their life and whether or not they are related.
The site was discovered by one of Yorkshire’s largest house builders, David Wilson Homes, who will press on with a new development now the archaeology has been completed.