A living community and a state-of-the art fighting machine, the catastrophic sinking of the Mary Rose and the miracle of her preservation provides a unique and vivid impression of Tudor life at sea. The intimate association of objects with individuals has enabled us to suggest occupations for some of the nearly 500 men who perished. The remains of over 179 individuals were found, 98 have been partially reconstructed. All were male, most in their twenties when they died, the youngest about 10 and the oldest over 40. Employing techniques used in forensic science we have studied their skulls and re-created the faces of some of these men whose deaths have left a rich legacy for generations into the distant future.
Through physical, chemical and biochemical analysis we have learned that Henry’s fleet was not manned by only English sailors, soldiers and mariners, and officers, but by a diverse and cosmopolitan crew. This lecture will look at the scientific methods used to re-create the Many Faces of Tudor England.
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About the Speaker
Dr Alexzandra Hildred
Alex joined the Mary Rose Trust in 1979 as a diving archaeologist and is responsible for on-going site monitoring and excavation. Since1983, she been part of a small team evolving and delivering displays within the Mary Rose Museums. Her specific research areas include armaments and human remains. Alex has extensive experience on other underwater sites and has directed multi-season projects in England, Holland and Malta. She has held posts as the Chairman of the Institute of Field Archaeologists Maritime Affairs Group, and ordnance advisor on the Government Committee on Historic Wreck Sites. Affiliations include the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists and the Society of Antiquaries of London.
