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Uncovered at the Tower of London: Numerous Hidden Skeletons Found During Archaeological Dig

Archaeological digs uncovered remnants of a 14th-century mass grave associated with the Black Plague, as well as three sets of remains from the late 12th or early 13th centuries entombed in coffins.

Unearthed Skeletons Discovered During Tower of London Excavation by Archaeologists
Unearthed Skeletons Discovered During Tower of London Excavation by Archaeologists

Uncovered at the Tower of London: Numerous Hidden Skeletons Found During Archaeological Dig

Excavation at the Tower of London Reveals Medieval Secrets

In a groundbreaking discovery, the first excavation at the Tower of London in a generation has uncovered more than 20 skeletal remains, offering a glimpse into London's medieval past. Among the finds, three skeletons from the late 12th or early 13th centuries were buried in coffins, while two skeletons from around 1500 were unearthed as well.

The on-site chapel is serving as a tell-all of London's medieval history. The older burials could have been buried inside one of the long-destroyed chapels. A compacted layer of stone found in the recent excavation could be a 1240 project at the site led by Henry III.

The shroud, along with the remains, also uncovered jewelry, shards of stained glass, and rare grave goods in the form of funerary incense pots dated to between 1150 and 1250. One of the highlights of the finds is a rare burial shroud from the late 12th or early 13th century.

The team is particularly excited about two biographies from the excavation, which hint at the dynamic movement of people and the dynamic life trajectories of the people buried in the Tower. The analysis on the first two skeletons indicates that one individual was likely a middle-aged female who died between 1480 and 1550 and lived as far away as Wales at one point. Intriguingly, the analysis also shows that the second skeleton belonged to a younger man who died around the same time and had a diet much less exotic compared to the first individual.

The excavation also revealed a 14-century Black Death group burial, a grim reminder of the devastating impact of the disease on the medieval population. The incense pots still contained charcoal inside them, providing a tangible connection to the past.

As the analysis continues, the team is eager to see whether they have picked two anomalies or whether they see a broader range of lifeways among the buried individuals. Tim Newcomb, a journalist based in the Pacific Northwest who covers stadiums, sneakers, gear, infrastructure, and more for publications including Popular Mechanics, expresses his excitement about the findings.

Tim Newcomb's favourite interviews include sit-downs with Roger Federer in Switzerland, Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, and Tinker Hatfield in Portland. However, the person overseeing the analysis of the first two skeleton finds is not explicitly named in the search results; no detailed insights or findings about these skeletons are provided in the available sources.

The discoveries at the Tower of London are a testament to the rich history that lies beneath the surface, inviting us to delve deeper into the lives of those who lived in medieval England. As the excavation continues, we can expect more revelations that will shed light on the lives and times of the people buried at this historic site.

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