Archaeological findings reveal how women may have fought as warriors in the Iron Age after researchers examine 2,000-year-old artefacts
New archaeological findings may reveal how women fought as warriors in the Iron Age.
Scientists gained new insights into the role of women after examining 2,000-year-old artefacts on a burial site in the Isles of Scilly.
Discovered in 1999, the site had been somewhat of an enigma - however, archaeologists unearthed a sword and shield alongside the remains of an individual.
While these objects would typically be associated with a man, there was also a brooch and bronze mirror - typically objects which belonged to women - found alongside the individual.
Dr Sarah Stark, human skeletal biologist at Historic England, believes this could be proof that there were female warriors in the Iron Age.
![For years, the mirror and sword have puzzled experts, as in other burials of the same period, swords are normally found with males and mirrors with females](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/07/01/73671453-12379335-For_years_the_mirror_and_sword_have_puzzled_experts_as_in_other_-a-59_1691368097275.jpg)
For years, the mirror and sword have puzzled experts, as in other burials of the same period, swords are normally found with males and mirrors with females
![The mystery of this prehistoric grave has finally been solved after years of scientific debate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/07/01/73670971-12379335-The_mystery_of_this_prehistoric_grave_has_finally_been_solved_af-a-58_1691368092922.jpg)
The mystery of this prehistoric grave has finally been solved after years of scientific debate
'This could suggest that female involvement in raiding and other types of violence was more common in Iron Age society than we'd previously thought,' she told The Times.
'Our findings offer an exciting opportunity to re-interpret this important burial. They provide evidence of a leading role for a woman in warfare on Iron Age Scilly.
'Given the degraded state of the bones, it's remarkable to get such a strong result.
'It makes you wonder what could be discovered by revisiting other badly degraded burials.'
Dr Stark added that while we can never completely know about the symbolism of the objects found in the graves, the sword and mirror may indicate this woman had high status within her community.
It could also suggest that these materials could have played a role in local warfare, organising or leading raids on rival groups.
![This image shows the detail on the sword which was recovered from the Iron Age burial site](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/07/01/73671447-12379335-This_image_shows_the_detail_on_the_sword_which_was_recovered_fro-a-74_1691368121965.jpg)
This image shows the detail on the sword which was recovered from the Iron Age burial site
![The Iron Age burial site is 2,000 years old and is situated on the Isles of Scilly, Britain](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/07/01/73671451-12379335-The_Iron_Age_burial_site_is_2_000_years_old_and_is_situated_on_t-a-75_1691368127143.jpg)
The Iron Age burial site is 2,000 years old and is situated on the Isles of Scilly, Britain
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