ELS215 from Elstow Abbey (Word of Mouth: Embodied Stories of Premodern Women at Work)

Overview:
Developed as part of Word of Mouth: Embodied Stories of Premodern Women at Work, led by Professor Alison Beach at the University of St Andrews, this project explores the life of a woman buried at Elstow Abbey, Bedford, whose skeletal remains preserve evidence of advanced Pott's disease (tuberculosis of the spine). By combining archaeological research with evidence-based visualisation, the project sought to illuminate women's lived experiences, health, work, and identity in a premodern religious community.

Creative & Scientific Contribution:
Working with an interdisciplinary team of historians, archaeologists, and researchers, I produced an evidence-based craniofacial approximation informed by skeletal analysis and archaeological context. I contributed to the development of visual storytelling and public interpretation by presenting the woman in both civilian dress and a nun's habit, enabling visitors to explore different aspects of her possible identity and life history. The reconstruction helped communicate the physical impact of disability while placing equal emphasis on personhood, resilience, and social identity, supporting a respectful and accessible interpretation of the archaeological evidence.

Public Impact:
The reconstruction became a catalyst for the wider Visible Disabilities in Premodern Europe initiative and has featured within the travelling exhibition History in Our Bones. Through exhibitions, collaborative interpretation, and public engagement, the project encourages audiences to reconsider historical perceptions of disability, women's lives, and inclusion, demonstrating how evidence-based visual storytelling can transform archaeological research into meaningful public dialogue.