ANCIENT BRITONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17017, 16 April 1923, Page 6

ANCIENT BRITONS.

PLACES OF BURIAL. GRAVES NEAR MARGATE. By Telegraph—Pros* Aeaociation—CopyrJffM. Australian and N.Z. Cable Aasociarxon. (Received April 16, 9.30 a.in.). LONDON, Ajril 15. Professor F. Parsons, processor of Anatomy at London University, in an article in “The 'Jinxes,” outlines u.j lesults of explorations proceeding iu ancient British burial places. He states that the recent excavations enabled thorough investigations to be made. The opening of a new road near Margate has exposed many rows of skeletons, evidently buried fully clothed with ornaments and weapons. Many of the graves contain pairs of skeletons which may confirm Tacitus’s story that pagan Saxon wires slew themselves when their husbands died. The average height of the men was oft 6in, compared with sft 9in for the middle class of to-day. The average height of the women was sft 4£in. Well worn teeth showed that much of tl oir food consisted of grain Apparently the ancients suffered terribly u om rheumatism and the majority died before forty. The proportion of adolescents buried between the ages of fifteen and twenty was very great. The dead were normally buried with their feet towards the rising sun, and genex ally on the south slope of a hill. Ornaments and precious stones found prove that they were by. no means savages, but possessed germs of refined t;.ste. A knife was buried with every man, woman, aud child, and with the men there was also a spear and a shield. In rare instances, swords and battleaxes were found in the graves of the chiefs-