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Hundreds Of Buried Bodies Discovered In Archeological Dig At Westminster Abbey

Hundreds Of Buried Bodies Discovered In Archeological Dig At Westminster Abbey

The dig also revealed a lost sacristy

Simon Catling

Simon Catling

A recent archaeological dig at the historic Westminster Abbey has uncovered some stunning discoveries, including a sacristy thought to have been used by monks in the 13th century - as well as hundreds if not thousands of buried bodies.

The Great Sacristy was situated on the Abbey's North Green facing Victoria Street - as the below painting by Pietro Fabris shows.

It was constructed in the 1250s by King Henry III and was a place where monks stored sacred items they'd use in mass, such as vestments, altar linens and chalices.

Westminster Abbey

The dig, helmed by archaeologist Chris Mayo of Pre-Construct Archaeology, uncovered the foundations of the sacristy for the first time since 1869 - when it had been unearthed and recorded by architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, after its initial demolition in the 1740s.

The grimmest finds have undoubtedly been the hundreds if not thousands of bodies discovered beneath the foundations. Before the Great Sacristy was built, the land was a burial ground and was used as such again in the 18th century.

One of the bodies discovered is in such good condition that it has been carefully and temporarily uncovered in its chalk-lined grave by the team of diggers.

Mayo estimated that there would be bodies littered 'right the way across the Abbey site', adding: "Ultimately the Abbey's grounds once went much further still.

"This whole area was awash with burials. If you dug a hole underneath the supreme court you'd find a few burials as well."

Westminster Abbey

Also among the foundations of the sacristy were several items that can tell us more about the life and times of the Abbey's previous inhabitants, including a stoup, which is likely to have been used by monks in Edward the Confessor's church to wash their hands as they entered. It was found upturned and reused in the 13th-century foundations.

Archaeologists also found a lead pipe, thought to have been part of the 13th century plumbing of the building, as well as fragments of medieval painted wall plaster, that suggest the Great Sacristy was hand-painted with red, white and black flowers.

Other finds from the dig included objects dating back to the 18th century, including china plates, chamber pots, glass drinking vessels and various combs and brushes.

Westminster Abbey

Pre-Construct Archaeology has been working at Westminster Abbey since January - breaking for three months due to the coronavirus pandemic - with an aim to understand the site better as part of a wider building project.

With plans for a new building to be constructed at the abbey to house new welcoming, ticketing and security facilities, the authorities at the Abbey wanted to fully understand the site and its historical evolution.

Featured Image Credit: Westminster Abbey

Topics: UK News, Weird