The ‘first black Briton’ turns out to be white – New DNA appraisal of Beachy Head Woman
The “Beachy Head Woman” was long thought to be the earliest known Black Briton from Roman-era Britain, based on skeletal remains found in East Sussex.
Early analyses using skull shape and basic biomolecular techniques suggested she had Sub-Saharan African ancestry, and this interpretation spread widely — supported by museums, media, and even a BBC-backed plaque identifying her as of African origin.
However, new genetic research using advanced DNA sequencing has overturned that conclusion. The results, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, show her DNA matches that of local populations from Roman Britain, with no evidence of recent African ancestry. She was likely a local woman, possibly with blonde hair and blue eyes.
This correction exposes how speculative findings became accepted as fact and raises concerns about how history is sometimes reshaped to fit modern narratives. It also underscores the scientific flaws of relying on skull morphology to determine ancestry — a method rooted in outdated racial theories.
Researchers emphasize that the case illustrates how science evolves: as new technologies emerge, old interpretations must be revisited. The “Beachy Head Woman” story has become a case study in both the advancement of DNA analysis and the need for caution when linking limited data to modern social or political ideas.
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Ken Hughes
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Aaawww, those poor wokey wet liberals will be so dissapointed.
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