It is a way of thinking about the evidence that allows it to cohere into a plausible narrative without requiring us to project specific modern categories — “religion,” “ritual,” “magic” — onto practices that may have been understood through frameworks entirely different from any of these.

What the bones tell us, ultimately, is that these people cared about her.

They cared enough to do something elaborate and specific with her body, something that required time and intention and skill.

They cared enough to put her back together when they were finished.

And they chose to mark her resting place with a structure of stones that has survived two thousand years.

The mystery of Loch Borralie is not fully solved by the 2026 analysis.