Discovery of Britain’s Oldest Northerner: The Ossick Lass

Archaeologists at the University of Lancashire have identified the remains of an 11,000-year-old girl, dubbed the "Ossick Lass," as the oldest known individual from northern Britain. Discovered in Heaning Wood Bone Cave in Great Urswick, Cumbria, the remains were excavated by local archaeologist Martin Stables. This find provides significant insights into Mesolithic burial practices and early post-Ice Age communities in northern England.

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The excavation, which began in July 2016, revealed not only the bones of the young girl, estimated to have been between 2.5 and 3.5 years old at the time of her death, but also artifacts such as a perforated deer tooth and beads. These items have been radiocarbon dated to approximately 11,000 years ago, aligning with the age of the remains. Dr. Rick Peterson, the lead researcher, emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating, “It is the first time we have been able to be so specific about the age of a child whose remains are so old and be certain that they are from a female.”

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The Ossick Lass's burial is among the three oldest-known Mesolithic burials in north-west Europe, marking it as a crucial piece of evidence for understanding human activity in Britain following the last Ice Age. The deliberate nature of the burial, indicated by the accompanying artifacts, suggests a cultural significance attributed to cave burials by early Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. Dr. Peterson noted that modern hunter-gatherer groups often view caves as gateways to the spirit world, which may explain the prevalence of cave burials during this period.

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Martin Stables, who led the excavation, reflected on the profound experience of uncovering such ancient remains. He stated, “It’s as if I’ve went back in time to 9,000 BC,” highlighting the emotional weight of witnessing the burial of a child from over 11,000 years ago. Stables expressed his commitment to further research at the site, indicating that the publication of their findings is just the beginning of revealing more about this significant archaeological location.

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Prior to this discovery, the oldest known remains in northern Britain were from a burial found in Kent’s Bank Cavern, dated to 10,000 years ago. The impact of glaciation has made such finds rare in the region, making the Ossick Lass's remains particularly valuable for understanding the prehistoric past. The University of Lancashire's research team has also identified at least eight other individuals buried in the cave, spanning different prehistoric periods, including the Early Bronze Age and Early Neolithic.

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• “It is the first time we have been able to be so specific about the age of a child whose remains are so old and be certain that they are from a female,” — Dr. Rick Peterson, Lead Researcher

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• “Effectively, I was the first to bear witness to the obviously caring burial of someone’s child that occurred over 11,000 years ago.” — Martin Stables, Local Archaeologist

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This discovery not only enriches the understanding of early human life in northern Britain but also opens avenues for future research into the cultural practices of ancient communities.

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