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Ancient Skeleton Found at Westminster Abbey May Be Linked to Anglo-Saxon Abbot
New analysis suggests the remains were a high-status medieval churchman, with radiocarbon dating placing him between AD 987 and 1052, researchers said.
- Researchers identified a skeleton found in a Roman sarcophagus at Westminster Abbey as a senior medieval monk who died between 987 and 1052.
- Originally crafted in the 4th Century for Valerius Amandinus, the limestone tomb was repurposed during the late Saxon period with a re-carved Latin cross.
- Pre-Construct Archaeology specialist James Young Langthorne suggests the man was 35 to 49 years old, contradicting 19th Century theories that described the remains as a "robust young man."
- Professor Warwick Rodwell, Westminster Abbey's archaeological consultant, narrowed the identities to two Benedictine monks: Abbot Aelfwig, who died around 1020, and his successor, Wulnoth.
- Now on display in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, the sarcophagus provides a rare example of medieval funerary recycling, where reuse was considered an honor rather than a slight.
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144 Articles
Archaeologists May Have Discovered Mystery Skeleton Found in Westminster
For over 150 years, a mysterious sarcophagus unearthed in Westminster Abbey has baffled experts, its reburied contents and true origins sparking centuries of speculation. Now, groundbreaking scientific analysis and archaeological findings are poised to reveal the identity of the high-ranking medieval figure within.
A fourth-century Roman sarcophagus may contain the remains of an 11th-century Anglo-Saxon abbot. Researchers have identified two possible individuals.
·Budapest, Hungary
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Archaeologists use modern radiocarbon dating and archival research to determine the true identity of the skeleton in the historic stone sarcophagus.
·Kassel, Germany
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Total News Sources144
Leaning Left14Leaning Right21Center71Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
13%
C 67%
R 20%
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