The mystery surrounding the Iron Age tomb buried on the island of Bryher (in the Isles of Scilly located southwest of the British mainland) has attracted scientific interest since its discovery in 1999.

Excavations showed that in the tomb there was a copper alloy sword and a shield next to the remains, which were tools often buried with Iron Age men. However, what confused the researchers was that in the tomb there was also a brooch and a bronze mirror – items often buried with women.

According to new research published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports on July 27, tooth enamel analysis showed that 96% of the people in the grave were female.

The tomb, dating from around 100 to 50 BC, provides a rare glimpse into ancient British life, and sheds light on the role of female warriors in inter-communal warfare during the Mesolithic period. Iron. It may have laid the groundwork for the emergence of female leaders such as warrior queen Boudicca of the Iceni tribe during her fierce uprising against the Roman invaders of Britain in 60 AD.

“Our findings provide an exciting opportunity to revisit this important burial. They provide evidence of the important role women played in warfare in Iron Age Scilly,” said Sarah Stark, said a biologist who studies human bones at Historic England.

“We will never fully understand the symbolism of the grave goods, but the combination of the sword and the mirror suggests that this woman had a high status in the community and may have acted as a guide.” commander in local combat, organizing or leading raids against enemy troops ,” Stark added.

According to scientists, the remains were so badly decomposed that even DNA testing technology could not help the research team draw conclusions. All that remains is a dark outline of the skeleton imprinted underground during excavation. To conduct the new analysis, they had to rely on advanced molecular biology analysis techniques at the University of California.

“Tooth enamel is the hardest and most durable substance in the human body. It contains a protein that binds to the X or Y chromosome, meaning it can help determine gender. This is useful because such a protein is persistent. than DNA ,” said Glendon Parker, professor of environmental toxicology at the University of California Davis.

He added that other graves could also be re-examined in the same way.

Archaeologists know little about the Celtic people who lived in Britain before the Roman occupation, but they believe that the main way to wage war was by surprise attacks on enemy dwellings.

The tomb on Bryher Island is the only tomb in Western Europe to have both a mirror and a shield. They are on display at the Museum of the Isles of Scilly on the island of St. Mary’s.