Ancient Shipwreck Unveils Secrets Of Tudor Sailors And Potential Medical Breakthroughs

Newly analyzed bones from the historic Mary Rose shipwreck are providing a glimpse into the lives of Tudor sailors and shedding light on age-related changes in bone chemistry that could advance modern medicine.

The Mary Rose, a colossal warship of King Henry VIII's navy, sank on July 19, 1545, in the Solent Strait between the Isle of Wight and mainland England, taking hundreds of men with it. The ship’s hull and artifacts were raised in 1982, along with the remains of 179 crew members, all now on display at the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, England. This unique collection has since become a focal point of research, aiming to understand the lives of the crew members and uncover the reasons behind the ship’s fateful end.

In a recent study, researchers analyzed the collarbones of 12 crew members, aged between 13 and 40, revealing how their roles aboard the Mary Rose may have influenced bone composition. They examined the chemistry of the bones for signs of aging, task-related stress, and whether the sailors favored one hand over the other. Published in the journal *PLOS One*, the study highlights important findings on how aging impacts bone chemistry, providing insights with implications for understanding conditions like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

"Advancing our knowledge of bone chemistry is crucial for understanding how our skeletons age and how medical conditions affect bones," said Dr. Sheona Shankland, the study’s lead author and research associate at Lancaster Medical School. "This knowledge could better inform fracture risk and the causes of age-related conditions."

The Mystery and Legacy of the Mary Rose

Built in 1510 at the request of Henry VIII, the Mary Rose became the king’s flagship and fought in multiple battles, only to meet her end in a confrontation with the French fleet. Despite extensive research, the exact cause of her sinking remains uncertain. “Regardless of the cause, she rolled onto her starboard side and water entered through open gunports,” explained Dr. Alex Hildred, a researcher and curator at the Mary Rose Museum. “With few exit points and a net trapping the crew, only those stationed on the upper decks managed to survive.”

Excavations revealed remarkably preserved human remains, thanks to a sediment layer that created an oxygen-free environment, slowing decomposition. This preservation has allowed researchers to study the bones in detail, especially the collarbones, which offer unique insights into aging and handedness.

Right-Handed by Necessity

The research team focused on clavicles, which showcase distinctive traits related to age and physical development. The analysis involved Raman spectroscopy, a non-invasive technique using light to study the molecular composition of samples. The results showed that mineral content in bones increased with age, while protein levels decreased, especially in the right collarbones. This finding suggests that the sailors predominantly used their right hands—a necessity, as left-handedness was discouraged in Tudor England due to superstitious beliefs.

Understanding the correlation between handedness and bone stress is vital, especially because people tend to brace themselves with their dominant hand when falling, which often results in clavicle fractures. “These results enhance our understanding of the lives of Tudor sailors, but also contribute to modern scientific investigation in the drive for a clearer understanding of changes in bone chemistry and potential links to aging-related skeletal diseases,” Shankland explained.

A New Lens on the Past

According to Professor Richard Madgwick from Cardiff University, who was not involved in the study, these findings offer new perspectives on historical lifestyles and occupational stresses. “The study has ramifications well beyond the Mary Rose—its novel, high-resolution method provides a new approach for gaining insights into human lifeways, occupations, and the stresses endured in the past without damaging these invaluable archaeological remains,” Madgwick commented.

With each study, researchers unlock new insights about the Mary Rose crew, including their diverse backgrounds and unique occupational stresses. Dr. Shankland plans to further her research by examining the spines of the ship's archers to determine the impacts of the heavy, rotational movements required to operate longbows. This investigation could deepen our understanding of how repetitive, strenuous activity influences bone health over time.

As Dr. Hildred noted, “The fact that this research has tangible benefits today, nearly 500 years after the ship sank, is both remarkable and humbling.”