Skeleton found in Roman sarcophagus at Westminster Abbey may have belonged to medieval monk
The sarcophagus’ decoration made researchers draw pause. Sculpted onto its lid was a Latin cross, dating to approximately the 10th or 11th century.
A human skeleton found in a Roman sarcophagus at Westminster Abbey may have belonged to a medieval monk, according to a new study published in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association. Lead by Professor Warwick Rodwell, the research found that the remains could be of a high-ranking monk such as Aelfwig or his successor Wulnoth, both of whom were Abbot of Westminster Abbey around the 11th century.
The sarcophagus, which was excavated in 1869, bore a Latin cross decoration that suggested the remains within could belong to someone who died centuries after the inscription was carved. Carbon dating of a bone sample showed the skeleton is from between 987 and 1052 CE, confirming the reuse of the sarcophagus and its remodelling of its cover in the late Saxon period.
The skeleton was likely between 35 and 49 years old at the time of death and stood at around 5ft 9inches tall. The remains are currently on public display in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey.
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