Medieval African Found in England

A thirteenth century skeleton of a Tunisian man was found buried in a friary in London. According to the the Mail and Guardian, which is terribly scant on facts, the man was buried in an unidentified friary on consecrated ground, and it must be assumed he was Christian and a person of some note. It is believed he might have come to England with returning crusaders.

His origins were identified by his bone structure. Much is still unknown about the migration of everyday people, and this is just one more link to how well-traveled the individual could be, even in such times where long migrations--from Africa to England, for example--were extremely difficult and costly.

It should be noted that the headline claims this is the earliest evidence of an African man. Surely there were many more when Rome occupied Britain in the days before Christianity hit its shores.   

You can read the article here.

Just got an update from a Facebook pal. Here's a better and more detailed story.

Comments

[Minnie]

You're right about the African-Romans; there have been discoveries from that time. Memory predictably unreliable, but seem to recall York, Hadrian's Wall & London as locations (but, well, they would be, wouldn't they ;-) ?

[Jeri Westerson]

Well, the Guardian. You know. The second story is better.

[Minnie]

The Grauniad? Explains everything ...

[Jeri Westerson]

Indeed. And hey, I love your blog. I added it to my blog role. I wanted to comment on your Consume Prey, etc. post but comments were closed. I wanted to say that I didn't need to comment on that whole thing because you said it so very well. Gah! I wish I could be as self-indulgent and people would throw money at me!

[Sean]

Interesting