Significant archaeological dig at the Tower of London recently unearthed medieval relics, among them a 14th-century mass grave that could potentially be the burial ground for some of the first victims of the Black Death.

Unraveling Medieval Secrets: The Excavation at the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula

The Tower of London, a historic monument standing since the 1070s, has witnessed many significant events throughout its long history. Recently, archaeologists have been delving into its past, unearthing fascinating discoveries at the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula.

The excavation has revealed the remains of 22 individuals, dating from the 13th century to the 16th century. These remains will soon be transferred to Cardiff University for further testing over the next few months.

One of the most intriguing findings is a pair of funerary incense pots, dating from between 1150 and 1250. These were found among the oldest burials, suggesting that the individual may have come from Northern France or Denmark.

Another individual, a younger man from around the same period, was possibly from the north but could have been closer to London, such as Kent. He had evidence of significant childhood stress and a less rich diet.

The Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula, a parish church for the Tower's working residents, has a legacy that predates its bloody history. It was commissioned under Henry VIII and finished in 1520, but its roots may extend back to the 9th century.

The Tower of London has been a witness to executions, rebellions, and the plague. One mystery that researchers hope to unravel is whether some of the individuals died from the Black Death, which swept through London beginning in 1348. Further analysis will be able to tell if some of the individuals died from the Black Death, potentially offering a glimpse of what life during the early, likely confusing outbreak was like.

Many of these people were of high status, as indicated by their burial in coffins rather than shrouds, and their initial burials being inside an older version of the chapel. The fates of two young Plantagenet princes are still unknown to this day.

The excavation is shedding new light on how medieval residents lived and died. The findings suggest the diversity of life experiences at the Tower, from the well-off individual who died between 1480 and 1550, probably had a diet that included sugar, to the less fortunate who had evidence of a difficult childhood and a less rich diet.

The excavation's findings are unraveling the Tower's oldest mysteries, offering a fuller picture of how medieval Londoners experienced the castle. Researchers also hope to uncover where the Tower workers came from, as the composition of the Tower community is a big question.

One question that remains unanswered is who discovered the urns buried between 1150 and 1250 in the church of St. Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London. As the excavation continues, more secrets from the Tower's past are sure to come to light.

Significant archaeological dig at the Tower of London recently unearthed medieval relics, among them a 14th-century mass grave that could potentially be the burial ground for some of the first victims of the Black Death.