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500-year-old 'booted man' found in Bermondsey goes viral

500-year-old 'booted man' found in Bermondsey goes viral

The story of a mysterious 500-year-old skeleton found at Tideway's Chambers Wharf site in Bermondsey in the summer has gone viral. 

Discovered face down and wearing knee-high leather boots, the 'booted man' caught the world's attention and had many wondering how he had ended up buried in the banks of the River Thames. 

He was found last summer by archaeologists working for the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) on the southern banks of the Thames a short distance downstream from Tower Bridge. 

Analysis of his skeleton revealed a tough lift: childhood stresses (evident in dental defects); blunt force trauma to the skull; and a broken nose that had subsequently healed. 

Experts also found deep grooves on his teeth caused by repetitive action, possibly passing rope between his teeth as a fisherman might.

11/01/19