The incredible archaeological discovery in Cumbria has changed some parts of Britain's prehistoric timeline because the latest DNA testing showed that "the oldest northerner" was an infant girl aged about three who lived about 11,000 years ago.
The prehistoric human bones unearthed in Heaning Wood Bone Cave, close to Great Urswick, represent one of the oldest known Mesolithic burials in northern Britain.
Archaeologists from the University of Central Lancashire managed to gather information about this child, referred to as the "Ossick Lass", using the methods of radiocarbon dating, ancient DNA testing, and archaeology.Ancient DNA reveals identity of Britain’s “oldest northerner”Remains were initially found during excavations conducted by local archaeologist Martin Stables within a cave close to Great Urswick in Cumbria.
In addition, the results showed using DNA analysis that the child was female and most likely was aged two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half years when she died.As explained by experts from the University of Cambridge, the burials are estimated to date back some 11,000 years to the early Mesolithic era, following the conclusion of the last ice age.
The results were presented in the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society and described as one of the most significant finds of prehistoric times in northern Britain for many years.
