Apparently, because of contaminants from preservatives used in the 19th century, previous tests have underestimated the age of the skeleton. It’s now thought that he’s 29,000 years old (4000 years older than before!).
This could mean that people living in these islands were the first in Europe to bury their dead in such a way, and that perhaps the custom spread from here (ah it’s always seen to be a bonus when a Briton invents something).
It also means that Mr Paviland would have lived in a warm era, rather than a cold period as previously thought.
He will be going back to Wales for an exhibition at the National Museum in Cardiff, starting on December 8th. The ‘Origins’ gallery has been redeveloped. It’s got some very interesting things.
museumwales.ac.uk/en/846/
information from C4 article at:
channel4.com/news/articles/science_technology/red+lady+skeleton+29000+years+old/979762