After years of conservation and reconstruction, the large Bronze Age log coffin found throughout work on the water lure at Tetney Golf Course in East Lindsey in 2018 has been transported to its new everlasting dwelling on the Lincoln Museum the place it’s going to go on public show for the primary time.
Carved from the trunk of an oak tree roughly 4,000 years in the past, the coffin contained the stays of a comparatively tall man (5’9″) who was in his late 30s or early 40s when he died. Osteological examination of his bones revealed osteoarthritis from a lifetime of heavy bodily labor. He was buried with a miniature battle axe with a stone head nonetheless mounted to its full wood deal with in like-new situation.
The coffin in 10 toes lengthy, however was damaged into a number of items when it was found within the muddy soil. The biggest piece is sort of eight toes lengthy and weighs half a ton. To protect it from speedy drying and crumbling to mud after its discovery uncovered it to air, the items have been positioned in chilly storage on the Mary Rose Belief in Portsmouth for a yr. They have been then transported to the York Archaeological Belief for stabilization, conservation and reconstruction.
Additional evaluation and analysis was led by a workforce of unbiased specialists, with the coffin offering a valuable glimpse into elaborate Bronze Age burial practices.
An investigation of the plant and pollen stays discovered contained in the coffin revealed that the person was laid on a mattress of oak and yew branches and had a garland of flowers round his neck. Hazelnuts and different crops could have fashioned a part of a meals providing.
The Tetney Coffin was moved to Lincoln Museum final week. Museum conservators at the moment are studying the coffin for show, stabilizing it in its new area and making a customized assist construction for its long-term exhibition.
The Lincoln Museum closed in October 2024 for a wide-ranging redevelopment. Each artifact on show was eliminated to protected storage to make means for an entire redesign of the archaeology gallery. The brand new gallery will function interactive shows that can give guests an immersive, hands-on expertise of Lincolnshire’s historical past and pre-history. The Tetney Coffin would be the flagship attraction of the museum’s renewed archaeology gallery when it reopens subsequent yr.
