Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in medieval England, uncovering evidence of people with sub-Saharan African descent living in Britain over 1,400 years ago. The findings come from DNA tests on two children buried in separate cemeteries in Kent and Dorset, which suggest that these individuals had Black African ancestors.
The study, published in the UK archaeological journal Antiquity, reveals that one of the children was likely a member of the royal family in Anglo-Saxon England. The child’s DNA showed characteristics such as brown eyes, dark hair, and a Mediterranean or North African complexion, which contrasted with the typical pale skin color and blue eyes of early Anglo-Saxons.
The discovery is significant not only because it provides the earliest genetic evidence of Black Africans in Europe but also because it sheds light on the complex history of trans-Saharan slave trade. The study suggests that slave traders from powerful pre-Arab Sahara region states may have brought slaves from West Africa to Europe, including Britain.
The Kent child’s burial site was located near a royal palace, and her grave goods suggest that she came from a socially elite family. Her DNA also revealed connections to the Kingdom of Kent’s ruling elite, which had strong ties with France.
The discovery has far-reaching implications for our understanding of Anglo-Saxon England’s conversion to Christianity and its cultural exchange with Europe. The child’s mother or father may have been part of the influx of French royals and elites who came to England in the run-up to the conversion.
This study is a significant milestone in the field of archaeology, providing new insights into the history of human migration and cultural exchange in medieval Europe.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/medieval-england-african-ancestry-skeletons-b2806968.html