The discovery of a female from Roman York of possible African origin should not be too surprising. After all, there is significant evidence for a multi-cultural population in the city. As a legionary base, soldiers would have been drawn from across the empire. African-style cooking pots have been discovered in York and across the North of England, suggesting that Septimius Severus brought African troops with him for his campaign in Caledonia.
An article from Antiquity published last year is available online here. It discusses the scientific analysis of the remains of a female inhabitant of Roman York, which seems to prove that she was of African descent. Indeed the ivory bracelet which was found buried with her, may have been a personal display of her ethnic origins.
It is a worthy reminder of the vibrant multiculturalism of Roman Britain.
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