Bones from 16th-century shipwreck suggest left-handedness changes what happens to us when we die

Table of Contents

A new study of the remains of 16th-century English shipwreck victims from the warship "Mary Rose" suggests that handedness may affect the type of age-related changes that occur in a person's collarbone chemistry, with right-handed people's clavicles showing more pronounced aging changes. Researchers at Lancaster University have studied the remarkably preserved skeletal remains recovered from the "Mary Rose," which included the ship's artifacts and the skeletons of its crew.

Scientists examined the collarbones from the Mary Rose shipwreck using a non-harmful laser technique called Raman spectroscopy, focusing closely on the clavicle bones in the skeletal remains. The study looked at organic proteins and inorganic minerals, which make up the two main parts of bone. The research, involving 12 male sailors aged 13 to 40, found that the mineral content in the clavicle bones got larger with age while the protein content got smaller.

More people have a natural right-handed preference than a left-handed one. At the time the Mary Rose sank, being left-handed was associated with witchcraft and strongly discouraged. This was due to the negative views and superstitions surrounding left-handedness in the 16th century.

Researchers believe that the difference in chemical makeup of the clavicle bones is due to the increased stress and strain on the dominant arm caused by repetitive tasks and activities. The physical demands of their work are thought to have affected the way the crew members' bones developed and changed over time. According to the study, as the Mary Rose sailors aged, the mineral content in their bones increased, which suggests that the physical demands of their work influenced their bone development.

A press release from Professor Adam Taylor stated, "This study offers new insights into what we know about the clavicle and its mineralization. As a crucial bone that connects the upper limb to the body, the clavicle is often involved in fractures. He highlighted the significance of learning how bone chemistry changes with age and how it may be affected by physical activity and the aging process."

Dr. Sheona Shankland said, "Growing up, I've always been fascinated by the Mary Rose, and it's incredible to be working with these remains. Being able to preserve the bones without causing damage is letting us gain a deeper understanding of the sailors' lives and also of the human skeleton, which has important applications for today."

It's been an honor for Dr. Jemma Kerns to work with these remarkable human remains, gaining insight into the lives of sailors in the 16th century and learning about changes in bone structure over time, which holds significance for modern health issues.

Dr. Alex Hildred, from the Mary Rose Museum, said, "Our museum is dedicated to the men who lost their lives defending their country. The hull is encircled by galleries on three sides, filled with the personal belongings of these men, and we continue to gain insights into their lives through ongoing research. The non-destructive nature of Raman spectroscopy makes it an excellent tool for studying human remains." He went on, "We're thrilled that the current research being conducted by Lancaster Medical School not only provides more information about the lives of our crew, but also showcases the adaptability of Raman. The fact that this research has practical applications today, nearly 500 years after the ship sank, is both astonishing and humbling."

The Mary Rose was a key ship in England's Tudor navy and was even used as the flagship of King Henry VIII. On July 19, 1545, the Mary Rose capsized while fighting a battle against French ships near the Isle of Wight. Unfortunately, the battle took place in the Solent Strait to the north of this British island. Decades after its sinking, archaeologists successfully uncovered the Mary Rose in the later 20th century. In doing so, they found remarkably preserved artifacts and even the skeletal remains of the crew. This treasure trove of information allowed researchers to gain insight into the belongings, physical appearance, and even health of the sailors who lost their lives on the ship.

Researchers have made some significant discoveries about the lives and well-being of the Mary Rose crew members by studying its remains. The investigation examined how bone chemistry changes in response to physical activity and aging, leading researchers to believe that bone chemistry can reveal information about a person's lifestyle. This research could provide new insights into handedness and the effects of aging on bone chemistry.

The results of this study were published in the journal PLOS ONE. According to the research, this discovery could have significant implications for our understanding of bone health and conditions like osteoarthritis, including the risk of fracturing bones and other bone-related issues. Although more research is necessary, this study sheds new light on the relationship between handedness and bone chemistry, especially in the context of the Mary Rose clavicles.

Professor Adam Taylor said, "The bone plays a vital role in connecting your upper limb to the body and is one of the most frequently broken bones." This research emphasizes the significance of the clavicle in understanding musculoskeletal health and how daily habits can affect bone composition over time.

By examining human skeletal remains that are hundreds of years old, researchers may be able to gain a better understanding of the ways in which bone chemistry changes as we age. The non-destructive nature of Raman spectroscopy enabled the researchers to study these valuable remains without causing any damage, thus showcasing the technique's usefulness in both past and present medical research.

The research team's findings indicate that being right-handed might have put extra pressure on the right collarbone of the Mary Rose crew members as they performed repetitive ship-related tasks. This added pressure could have resulted in variations in mineral and protein content between the right and left collarbones. The study demonstrates how handedness and activity levels can affect bone chemistry and shows the potential of using bone analysis to gain a deeper understanding of historical lifestyles.

These findings not only provide insight into the lives of 16th century sailors but also have potential implications for modern medicine. Understanding how bone chemistry reacts to physical stress and aging can help guide treatments and preventive measures for bone-related conditions.

In summing it up, the study of the Mary Rose crew's collarbones provides a one-of-a-kind look into the past and offers important knowledge that fills the gap between historical study of human culture and contemporary medical research. This ongoing research continues to honor the legacy of the sailors who served on the Mary Rose, making sure that their lives and experiences help lead to advancements in understanding human health.

This conversation has not started yet. Please enter a text for me to paraphrase.

This article was written in collaboration with a generative AI company called Alchemiq.