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Dozens of Britons were “killed and butchered” and then cannibalized after Bronze Age massacre, research shows
New research suggests that dozens of Bronze-Age era Britons were killed in an attack unlike any previous known to archaelogists studying that time period and location.
The research on human remains from Charterhouse Warren in southwest England, conducted by a team of researchers from multiple institutions including Oxford University, was published in Antiquity, a journal of world archaeology. It found that at least 37 Bronze Age-era men, women and children were “killed and butchered” and then cannibalized, with their bodies then thrown down a nearly 50-foot deep natural shaft. While archaeologists have found the remains of Bronze Age and later Britons who died violently, those incidents were largely isolated. Mass graves from this era have also been found, but the remains were laid to rest respectfully, unlike those studied.
Researchers first became aware of the shaft in the 1970s. Two excavations were conducted in the 1970s and 1980s. The human remains, as well as some artifacts including a flint dagger, were found at multiple spots in the shaft during these digs. More than 3,000 individual human bones and bone fragments have been recovered overall. Those bones were used to estimate that at least 37 individual sets of remains were in the shaft. Different bone lengths show that the people killed were both male and female, and ranged in age from infants to grown adults. Ongoing research is working to determine how the people were related to each other.
The way the remains were disposed of made the detailed examination possible, the researchers said. The shaft helped preserve the bones and keep them grouped together.
Cambridge University Press on behalf of Antiquity Publications Ltd
The bones “display clear evidence of blunt force trauma,” according to researchers, suggesting that many of the people in the shaft “suffered a violent death.” Other injuries, including removal of the scalp and severed muscles in the jaw suggesting removal of the tongue or lower jaw, also likely occurred, evidenced by marks on the bones, the researchers said. Some of the victims may have been beheaded or dismembered.
It’s possible that the victims were held captive or ambushed, because of the severity of the injuries, the researchers said. It’s not clear who could have carried out the attacks.
There is also evidence that the bodies were cannibalized, the researchers said, including human teethmarks on the bones and indicators that marrow, the soft tissue inside bones, was removed. The researchers said the cannibalism was likely conducted “within a context of a violent conflict, in which individuals are dehumanized and treated as animals.”
“Some 37 men, women and children—and possibly many more—were killed at close quarters with blunt instruments and then systematically dismembered and defleshed, their long bones fractured in a way that can only be described as butchery,” the researchers said.
Later in the publication, the researchers referred to the scene as a “massacre,” and suggested it may have even been a “political statement” of violence so brazen it would have “resonated across the wider region and over time.” However, it’s not clear what could have led to the violence: “Neither climate change, ethnic conflict nor competition over material resources seem to offer convincing explanations,” according to the researchers, leaving the only likely option that the violence broke out as part of a pattern of revenge or violence between communities.
“At this stage, our investigation has raised as many questions as it has answered,” the researchers said. “Work is ongoing to shed more light on this decidedly dark episode in British prehistory.”
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How Nikki Glaser is drawing inspiration from Tom Brady to prepare for Golden Globes hosting gig
Comedian and actress Nikki Glaser is preparing for one of the biggest moments of her career: Hosting the 82nd Annual Golden Globes. The event will air live on CBS on Sunday, Jan. 5.
Known for her brutally honest style, Glaser’s journey comes after years of hard work in the entertainment industry. She is also making history by becoming the first woman to solo host the Golden Globes.
“It’s been a lot of hard work leading up to this point of, like, a 22-year career where some people are suddenly starting to take notice on this kind of, like, bigger scale,” Glaser said. “I’m at a point in my life where, you know, I’m old enough to kind of handle this kind of attention and not let it go to my head.”
Glaser, widely recognized for her raunchy and relatable standup specials, has built a reputation for turning her personal experiences into comedy. Glaser credits her success to lessons learned and applied over the course of her career.
She also gained widespread attention for her standout performance at Netflix’s “The Roast of Tom Brady” earlier this year.
“The way I prepared for that … was inspired by learning about Tom Brady and how he prepares,” Glaser said. “It’s about the flexibility. It’s about surrounding yourself with people you love. Like, I hadn’t considered that part of my job at all. I always just thought, you just have to work hard.”
During the interview, Glaser also reflected on advice from those who have hosted major award shows before.
“Ricky [Gervais] called me right away to give me advice,” she said. “His advice was, ‘Just be yourself. You’re not one of them. Don’t try to walk out there acting like you’re an A-lister just because you’re invited.'”
The comedian has also earned her own recognition this year, with a nomination of her own.
“It was really cool to get the nomination on top of preparing for this,” Glaser said. “To me, hosting is number one.”
Despite the pressure, Glaser is excited for the experience and eager to perform. And winning isn’t a goal for Glaser.
“I’ll do a bit after my award is given out. I think it’s kind of funnier if I lose.”
The 82nd annual Golden Globes will air live on Jan. 5, 2025 on CBS and stream on Paramount+
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Nima Momeni has been found guilty of second degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee, a verdict reached by a San Francisco jury after seven days of deliberations.
The verdict of second degree murder carries a 15 years to life sentence and includes an enhancement for using a knife in the crime. Momeni was found not guilty of the more serious charge of pre-meditated first degree murder.
Prosecutors Dane Reinstedt and Omid Talai were present in the courtroom for the verdict, as was Sgt. Brent Dittmer – who testified in the trial – and a handful of members of the DA’s office.
Defense attorneys Tony Brass and Zoe Aron were also present along with Nima’s mother Mahnaz Momeni.
Outside the courtroom, Lee’s brother Timothy Oliver Lee said the family was satisfied with the verdict.
“We we’re happy with the result today. We’re happy that Nima Momeni won’t be on the streets, no longer has the opportunity to harm anyone else in this world,” he said. “The verdict of murder two will put him away for a long time.”
Shocking murder
Momeni was accused of fatally stabbing tech executive Lee in a secluded part of San Francisco’s East Cut neighborhood under the Bay Bridge in April 2023.
Court officials announced late Monday afternoon that the jury had reached a verdict shortly before 4 p.m.
Prosecutors accused Momeni of stabbing Lee with a kitchen paring knife following a heated discussion regarding his sister’s relationship with Lee as well as their ongoing drug use. During the trial, Momeni’s lawyers claimed that their client acted in self-defense, alleging that Lee lunged at Momeni with a knife in his hand while high on ketamine and cocaine. The defense said Lee became erratic and aggressive after Momeni made a “bad joke” at the expense of Lee’s family.
Intense trial
The trial, which lasted six weeks, was punctuated by dramatic testimony, including an appearance on the stand of Momeni’s sister, Khazar Momeni. She testified as a witness for the prosecution and insisted during her first day of testimony that her brother didn’t kill Lee. She also detailed consuming several drugs with Lee and others in the days leading up to the fatal stabbing.
During cross examination by defense attorneys, Khazar Momeni described Lee as “all over the place” and “aggressive” while high on drugs. Her testimony was criticized outside the courtroom by Lee’s ex-wife Krista Lee, who accused her of trying to “make herself a victim.”
The testimony turned contentious when Nima Momeni took the stand, as the defendant sparred with the prosecution during cross-examination after earlier describing how Lee allegedly attacked him while his defense team questioned him about the confrontation.
Prosecutorial challenge
San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai challenged Momeni’s version of the story and focused on his actions immediately after Lee’s death, including his calls to attorneys and text messages with his sister.
The case wrapped up in the first week of December with prosecutors trying to tear down Momeni’s defense in their closing arguments and asking why he didn’t call police or tell anyone about Lee allegedly attacking him.
The defense showed a bombshell video during their closing arguments, presenting surveillance footage they claimed showed Lee doing cocaine on the street outside a private club with the same knife used to kill him hours later. Defense attorney Saam Zangeneh used a cardboard cutout of the knife in court so the jury could see the size of the paring knife he said the video proved Lee had in his possession all along.
That video sparked a tense exchange between Zangeneh and Lee’s former wife, who let out a loud, mocking laugh as he showed the footage.
Zangeneh turned to directly address her, saying it wasn’t funny. Prosecutors quickly objected and the judge intervened to restore order in the courtroom.
The jury began deliberations on the morning of Dec. 4.
How Nikki Glaser is drawing inspiration from Tom Brady to prepare for Golden Globes hosting gig
Latest news on Nima Momeni’s verdict watch, Luigi Mangione’s extradition update
Nima Momeni found guilty in killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee
How Nikki Glaser is drawing inspiration from Tom Brady to prepare for Golden Globes hosting gig
Latest news on Nima Momeni’s verdict watch, Luigi Mangione’s extradition update