A plaque commissioned by the BBC and dedicated to the “first black Briton” has been removed after scientific evidence has revealed she was not of African origin.
The sign commemorated the remains of “Beachy Head Lady”, a woman who was believed to be the first Brit of African descent.
The woman, whose remains are 1,800-year-old, is now believed to have originated from “southern Europe – most likely Cyprus”, as per the findings of the Francis Crick Institute.
The plaque was erected in 2016 in an East Sussex village at a cricket pavilion.
It was installed as part of a BBC project led by Professor David Olusoga celebrating, which celebrated Black Brits throughout history.
Parish councillors in the village of East Dean voted to take down the sign after the discovery.
The sign, which is now in storage, read: “The remains of Beachy Head Woman were found near this site.
“Of African origin, she lived in East Sussex 2nd-3rd century AD.”
In 2022, an article about the woman’s remains was updated to include the note: “DNA analysis has since concluded that although she grew up in Eastbourne, the place of her ancestry is in southern Europe – most likely Cyprus.”
The revelation led to residents complaining to the council, who then tabled a motion to have the plaque taken down.
It was one of several signs erected across the country to honour Black Brits, as part of the 2016 BBC series.
The series aimed to tell the story of “the enduring relationship between Britain and people whose origins lie in Africa”.
The programme featured a reconstruction of her facial features.
GB News has approached East Dean and Friston Parish Council for comment
