Excavation at British University Reveals Medieval Church and Hundreds of Skeletons

Excavation at British University Reveals Medieval Church and Hundreds of Skeletons

In a remarkable archaeological find, experts recently uncovered hundreds of skeletons during an excavation at a British university’s campus. This unexpected discovery has fascinated both historians and the local community.

The excavation took place at the University of Gloucestershire’s City Campus, which the institution acquired in 2021. A press release from the university dated April 11 provided details of this extraordinary archaeological revelation.

Set to open later this year, the City Campus property previously housed a department store. However, beneath this modern façade lay a historical treasure trove waiting to be revealed.

The Discovery of an Ancient Church

The university enlisted the expertise of Cotswold Archaeology to investigate the site, and it was within this area that archaeologists stumbled upon the remains of a medieval church.

Identified as St. Aldate’s Church, this now-ruined structure dates back to the Middle Ages. It underwent demolition in the mid-1650s, yet its remnants tell a story of a bygone era.

Archaeologists reported finding limestone and brick foundations accompanied by around 83 brick-lined burial vaults. These vaults were located both within the church and in the associated burial yard, with the discovery confirmed in the university’s press release.

Furthermore, approximately 150 post-medieval burials, which did not include burial vaults, were identified in the courtyard of the church. In deeper excavations, another 170 earlier burials were discovered. These findings are initially believed to be linked to the medieval church.

Uncovering Historical Context

In total, experts carefully unearthed 317 skeletons and 83 brick burial vaults from the site. This unexpected discovery surprised archaeologists who had no prior knowledge of the church and its burial grounds. In fact, the vaults had been cleared in the 1950s to accommodate the construction of the former Debenhams department store.

Steve Sheldon, acting principal manager at Cotswold Archaeology, noted that a new parish church was built in the mid-18th century on or near the original site. This structure survived until the early 1960s, when it too was demolished to make way for the department store.

Although the excavation did not identify the footprint of the medieval church, a limestone wall with surviving lime plaster suggests that it may represent part of the earlier structure.

Insights on Historical Health Practices

While the analysis of the human remains is still in its early stages, archaeologists have already gleaned information about historical health practices from their findings. One notable point has been the impact of increased sugar consumption during the 16th century.

For instance, the university stated that dental health clearly reflected the dietary changes of that era. As research progresses, the full results of these studies are expected to be published at a later date.

A Year of Discoveries by Cotswold Archaeology

This excavation forms part of a series of noteworthy discoveries made by Cotswold Archaeology in recent months. In July of the previous year, the organization announced the unearthing of 24 identifiable skeletons under a hotel, which can be traced back to as early as 670 A.D.

The recent discoveries not only enrich our understanding of local history but also shed light on the communities that once inhabited this area. Each find opens a door to the past.

Community and Historical Significance

The archaeological work at the University of Gloucestershire’s City Campus has captured the imagination of the community. Local residents and students alike are curious about the discoveries, keen to learn more about the lives of those who lived centuries before them.

As the university continues its efforts to explore this historic site, there is an anticipation of further revelations. Each excavation serves to deepen our understanding of the region’s historical narrative, illustrating the importance of archaeology in connecting present-day communities with their historical roots.

In summary, the uncovered skeletons and the remains of St. Aldate’s Church represent not only an archaeological find but a bridge to the past. Such discoveries enrich our cultural heritage and highlight the ongoing relevance of historical inquiry.