Archaeology news, hot off the press!

Archaeologists have unearthed what they suspect is the last resting place of the legendary seven dwarfs of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs fame. Seven small skeletons were found close to one another in a site just outside the city walls. Although they have not been able to find any evidence of a settlement, which according to legend consisted of one below average size cottage in the enchanted forest, and near to a diamond mine, archaeologists are in little doubt that these are indeed the remains of the Seven Dwarfs. An assemblage of metal tools and implements found nearby, and thought to be connected with the dwarfs, suggests that they were mineworkers.

The Seven Dwarfs are known to have lived in the period of Fairy Tale, between the periods of Once upon a time and They all lived happily ever after. Oxygen isotope analysis carried out on the bones and teeth of the skeletons confirms that all are of central European origin. Marks on their bones indicate that they all came to a grim end.

Primitive medical instruments were found buried alongside one of the skeletons (SK1). Archaeologists believe this to be 'Doc'. Documentary evidence and pictorial representations of the tribe of dwarfs have always suggested that Doc was the leader. The presence of grave goods supports this theory.

 

One of the skulls (SK2) had deep furrows in the frontal bone just above the orbits, which osteologists say may have been caused by long-term persistent frowning. Could this be the skeleton of 'Grumpy'?

 

Larger than average areas of muscle insertion on the maxilla of one of the skulls (SK3) has led osteologists to speculate that this may have been due to enlarged muscles of facial expression, consistent with smiling. This is therefore likely to be the skull of 'Happy'.

 

Deposits of organic material were found around the orbits of one of the skulls (SK4), which have most likely to have been caused by the eyelids being closed for long periods of time. This has led to speculation that this is likely to be the skull of 'Sleepy'.

 

The vertebra of one skeleton (SK5) was flexed to one side, as if the head had always been carried on one side. Could this be the skeleton of 'Bashful'?

 

The nasal apertures of six of the skulls were almost identical in terms of size and shape. However, in one of the skulls (SK6) the aperture was enlarged, as if the nasal bone had been eroded, possibly by trauma or infection. One expert has come up with the suggestion that chronic sneezing could possibly be the cause. Could this therefore be the skeleton of 'Sneezy?

 

One skull (SK7) was significantly smaller than the others, but based on the status of the epiphyses and on dental evidence, it is not thought to be that of a child. Perhaps the small skull is due to an underdeveloped brain? Could this be the skull of 'Dopey'?

 

All of the skeletons had well developed arms, consistent with some type of long-term repetitive activity such as wielding a pick. There was some suggestion that all suffered from vitamin D deficiency perhaps due to long periods underground, away from sunlight.

It is known that amongst any population of dwarfs there were seven characteristics or types, such as the ones above. When questioned as to how likely it is that one of each type of dwarf would be found at one site, an unnamed archaeologist replied saying that ‘We had a theory and we just had to make the facts fit’.

 

© Mike Young 2012