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Irish brain surgeons in 800 AD saw cancer, TB in 1,000-year-old remains

Medieval church discovered 'by accident' in Irish roads dig

By
DONAL THORNTON,
Irish Central.com

Published Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 9:39 AM
Updated Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 10:07 AM

 

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Medieval Secrets: An ancient grave in Ireland which was discovered by accident shows brain surgeons were operating in Ireland in 800 AD
Medieval Secrets: An ancient grave in Ireland which was discovered by accident shows brain surgeons were operating in Ireland in 800 AD

Irish brain surgeons were operating in the eighth century in a remote area of Ireland.

That's according to stunning evidence discovered at an ancient grave in County Donegal.

Archaeologists and scientists unearthed the remains of up to 1,300 people after discovering the graves alongside an unknown medieval church on the banks of the river Erne at Ballyhanna.

The scientists said they were able to determine that brain surgery had been carried out on some of the people and they also discovered evidence of TB and cancer. They also said they may have found evidence of cystic fibrosis in the Irish population of some 1,000 years ago.

The findings were made during the excavation of what would become the Ballyshannon/Bundoran bypass.

Ireland's National Roads Authority is required to maintain an archeological team on every road building scheme but the team had no idea they would be digging up a medieval church.

Michael MacDonagh, a senior archaeologist with the National Roads Authority said, "It was an incredible discovery because it was completely unexpected. It is possible that because Ballyshannon suffered so disastrously during the Famine, that these burial grounds just fell out of local memory."

The findings, which were originally discovered in 2003, were revealed during Science Week Ireland.

One fascinating discovery was that of the remains of a young female. Dating back to AD800, her skull showed evidence of brain surgery. "We know that she survived the operation as the skull shows signs of bone growth after the hole was cut into it." Mr MacDonagh said. 

The remains of a disabled man were also discovered. The man's legs had fused together, as a result of multiple exostoses, also known as bumpy bone disease. 

“This man lived into his 30s which was a typical lifespan then. He would have had to be carried everywhere and he was obviously buried formally and with respect, which tells us something about how medieval society treated people with disabilities,” Mr MacDonagh added.

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6 Comments

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Posted by seanomelbourne on Apr 28, 2010, 07:39 PM EDT
British museums are full of artifacts stolen from Irish sites,go take a look. Some years ago the Book of Kells was sent to England for some restoration repairs and they(English) were considering claiming the book as there's. Beachline is correct in his analysis. As for the Custom House now there's a bastion of colonial rule.
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Posted by jimmynulty on Nov 11, 2009, 08:18 PM EST
Did the British dig up and destroy ancient sites, beachline? Its news to me if they did. It is hardly history if it isnt documented. I think the burning of the Dublin Custom House during th War of Independence did real damage to our heritage. Now that is lost history.
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Posted by beachline on Nov 11, 2009, 10:40 AM EST
Thank goodness that Ireland has a law requiring an archeologist on every road building project, other wise we would lose most of our ancient heritage. As a member of the medical field I am facinated be these discoveries, and I hope a book listing these discoveries will be published so my children and grandchildren can know the role the Irish played in saving civilization. Sadly, so much history was lost during the British rule and there are too few people remaining to accurately fill in the blanks. Keep up the good work-Ireland.
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Posted by chris13 on Nov 11, 2009, 10:29 AM EST
The public option then was caring for others. Or maybe only for your own "clan?"
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Posted by newcanaan on Nov 11, 2009, 07:22 AM EST
all that without the public option. WOW
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Posted by newcanaan on Nov 11, 2009, 07:20 AM EST
all that without the public option, WOW.
 


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