In 1901, workers digging in York, England, made a discovery that would eventually force historians to rethink what Roman Britain looked like. Inside a stone coffin lay the remains of a woman buried with expensive jewellery, mirrors, perfume containers and other luxury objects. For decades, these possessions helped shape a simple story about her identity. Modern scientific analysis would later reveal something far more surprising.
Known today as the Ivory Bangle Lady , the woman was buried wearing bracelets made from jet and imported elephant ivory. Her grave also contained glass vessels, beads and other high-status objects, suggesting that she had lived a wealthy and privileged life.
