Trailblazer 1️⃣1️⃣: Ivory Bangle Lady
Listen to Ivory Bangle Lady's Story
About The Sculpture
Find me at: York Railway Station
W3W: ///makes.smart.decks
Researched by: York University Archeology Department
Designed by: York Anti Racist Collective
The woman who has become known as the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’ was buried at Sycamore Terrace in York in the second half of the fourth century CE. As a trailblazer, the Lady has marked an important path in showing us that ethnic and religious diversity and immigration is written in York’s history from its very beginning.
The woman who has become known as the ‘Ivory Bangle Lady’ was buried at Sycamore Terrace in York in the second half of the fourth century CE. She was only 18-23 years old when she died but probably came from a wealthy family. The grave contained an astonishing amount of lavish gifts, such as jet and elephant ivory bracelets, a glass mirror, and a beautiful wooden casket with an inscription displaying Christian sentiments.
Analysis shows that she was of mixed ancestry, partly from North Africa, partly from western Britain or Europe and the Mediterranean. As a trailblazer, the Lady has marked an important path in showing us that ethnic and religious diversity and immigration is written in York’s history from its very beginning. She reminds us that as a place made by migrants, we have a continuous responsibility towards building an inclusive community and taking a stand against racism.
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