Anglo-Saxon burial site’s accidental discovery

Workmen rebuilding a collapsed wall uncovered bones from Anglo-Saxon times while preparing to lay foundations of a new structure in Hartlepool, Durham, United Kingdom.

Excavations at the site (by Hartlepool Mail)

The discovery was made in an alley behind Gladstone Street in Hartlepool. Archaeologists conducting excavations at the site discovered remains of at least sic people and a corner of a building believed to date back almost 1400 years. They are believed to be from Anglo-Saxon times when Hartlepool was home to one of the most important monasteries in the North of England.

Skeletons uncovered during excavations (by Hartlepool Mail)

According to the archaeologists, the remains almost certainly date from the Saxon period, which is anywhere from 650-800 AD. The remains seem to be up against a stone structure, which suggests it may be a little chapel or a similar structure. The remains belong to at least two children and one female, and were buried at a cemetery close to a monastery named Heruteu at Hartlepool, founded by the nun Heiu in the 640s AD shortly after Lindisfarne.

The wall that fell down leading to the discovery (by Hartlepool Mail)

(after Hartlepool Mail)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.