Beachy Head Lady

The Beachy Head Lady or Beachy Head Woman is an ancient skeleton discovered in Beachy Head, East Sussex, England. The Beachy Head Woman lived during the Roman period, around 200 to 250 AD. Due to the shape of the skull the 'Beachy Head Lady' was thought to have originated from Sub-Saharan Africa[1][2][3] and been the first known person of sub-Saharan origin in Britain.[4] However, following DNA analysis, it was determined that the woman was Southern European, most likely from Cyprus.[5]

Beachy Head Lady
CreatedEarly to mid 3rd century AD
Period/cultureRoman
Discovered1956-1959
Beachy Head, East Sussex
Present locationEastbourne Museums

As part of the Eastbourne Ancestors project, over 300 sets of human remains excavated from Anglo-Saxon cemeteries were re-examined. Heritage Officer Jo Seaman and his team found two boxes labelled "Beachy Head, something to do with 1956 or 1959". Inside they found a very well-preserved human skeleton. Initial inspection by an osteoarchaeologist reported that the remains belonged to a young female who was about five feet tall.[1]

Caroline Wilkinson was asked to perform a forensic facial reconstruction, and upon seeing the skull, immediately recognised her features as those of a sub-Saharan African. Radiocarbon dating established that the Beachy Head Lady lived around 200 to 250 AD. There is an example of an African at this date in Britain, the Ivory Bangle Lady found in York who was from the current Morrocan region. The new DNA evidence, though changing her place of (at least) familial origin, still tells a similar story of migration over thousands of kilometres to the fringes of the Roman Empire for reasons that remain unclear.

Isotope analysis indicated that the Beachy Head Lady grew up in southeast England.[1] Jo Seaman said the results were intriguing: "Whether that means that she's first generation we don't know. She could possibly have been born in Cyprus and brought over here at a very young age, but it's just as likely that she was born here."[1]

The Beachy Head Woman was exhibited to the public for the first time at the Eastbourne Redoubt.[6] In 2021, the remains were moved to the newly refurbished "Beachy Head Story" visitor centre, closer to where they were found.[7]

Bibliography
  • Olusoga, David (2016). Black and British: a Forgotten History. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 9781447299745.

References
  1. "Beachy Head Lady was young sub-Saharan Roman with good teeth, say archaeologists". culture24.org.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  2. "Centuries old Beachy Head Lady's face revealed". BBC News. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  3. "Centuries old Beachy Head Lady's face revealed". BBC News. 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  4. Olusoga 2016, p. 33
  5. "Story of Eastbourne celebrates first year with 23,000 visitors". Eastbourne Herald. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  6. Zoe Mintz. "Face Of 'Beachy Head Lady' Revealed, Roman Era Woman Is A 'Fantastic Discovery' [PHOTO]". International Business Times. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  7. "Eastbourne museum to open next month after gift shop welcomes customers". Eastbourne Herald. 16 April 2021.
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