Hey...Who Are You Calling Short?

I went to Belgium and all I found were some chicken bones!

About eight years ago, I eagerly participated in an archaeological dig in Belgium.  The focus of the dig was outside of the castle's medieval walls, in hopes of determining how long the area had been settled.  Most people get excited when I tell them about my archaeology experience, however, I must assure you it's nothing like you see on TV.  For days on end we dug, scrapped, dusted and shifted through the soil not finding a single item.  After a couple of weeks, bones were found and everyone thought we might find a skeleton.  Nope, all we found was a chicken bone, which was in the medieval garbage pit.  We found shreds of pottery, horse teeth and some pretty rocks, but no human skeletons.  Sometimes archaeology stinks.


Archaeologists in England, however, have found more than chicken bones after excavating a mass grave dug for the casualties of the Battle of Towton during the War of the Roses.  Over 28,000 men died in this pivotal battle, which put Edward IV on the throne and the men who died, long to tell the tale of their lives.

According to a recent article in the Economist, which documents this important dig, the skeletons challenge conventional wisdom of the health and well being of medieval man.  Instead of being short and sickly with rotting teeth, festering wounds, chronic diarrhea and a horrendous odor, men during the 15th century were only a couple inches shorter than modern Englishmen.  After evaluating many of the skeletons, it was determined the average height of a man during the War of the Roses was just under 5'7".  According to the Guardian, modern Brits aren't much taller, with an average height of 5'9".

At least he got plenty of money from the tooth fairy.

Other distressing news for modernity snobs, is that the men who died in battle were generally in good health, had most of their teeth and a bad cause of Little Leaguer's elbow.  Since it's unlikely that the soldiers were playing baseball between military engagements, it was surmised by the excavators that the famed English longbow was to blame.  Instead of spending long hours practicing their fast ball, 15th century boys were practicing the art of warfare.

It's not surprising that many believe that persons in the past suffered from stunted growth and ill health.  The modern world, with all of its fancy contraptions, modern amenities and superior medical care, has cemented the image of an unfavorable past.  Life was full of sickness (it still is), anxiety (still is) and death around every corner (nothing has changed), it's no wonder why we think that people long ago were in poor health.  Take heart, however, because the men who fought at Towton undoubtedly smelled worse than a dozen or angry skunks.  A nice bath didn't fight into their demanding schedule.

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