Posted on 01/24/2006 2:24:18 PM PST by nuconvert
Archeologists Unearth 1,300 Skeletons
Jan 24, 2006
A large medieval cemetery containing around 1,300 skeletons has been discovered in the central English city of Leicester, archaeologists said Tuesday.
The bones were found during a dig before the site is developed as part of a 350 million-pound ($630 million) shopping mall.
University of Leicester archaeologists say the find promises to shed new light on the way people lived and died in the Middle Ages.
"We think, probably outside London, this must be one of the largest parish graveyards ever excavated," said Richard Buckley, director of University of Leicester Archaeology Services.
"Archaeology will tell us a lot from the rubbish people throw away. We can really learn about the lives they were leading."
"But it's very rare that we get a look at a (whole) population itself. It's quite a tightly dated group."
He said the graveyard was probably used from the 12th century until the demolition of a church at the site in 1573.
Communal graves and a high number of child skeletons already provide evidence of high infant mortality and contagious diseases in the area, Buckley said.
What is believed to be Britain's largest medieval cemetery was found at Bishopsgate London in 1999. It contained more than 10,000 bodies.
Even the archaeologists ;~ )
So graveyards don't mean sh!t to the Brits, eh?
I think this is neat.
Compare and contrast with "native american" attitudes about 25,000 (or whatever it was) year old iceman.
I'm going to pin a note to my chest when I'm buried that says, "Please just leave me alone."
I'm looking to join Scotty in orbit .
where were the dead bodies? The US Senate Cloak Room?
How much time must pass before "hallowed ground" set aside for the repose of the dear departed becomes fair game for accredited grave robbers?
My note will say, "If this is about eminent domain, you better be prepared to be haunted big time."
"THEY BELONG IN A MUSEUM!"
"How much time must pass before "hallowed ground" set aside for the repose of the dear departed becomes fair game for accredited grave robbers?"
Relax. They are building a strip mall.
BTTT
uh oh, you reminded me of snakes.........
http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/
I would think it would be neat to have my skelton put in the 5500AD Smithsonian with a sign (in Mandarianish, of course)next to my skeleton:
"Here we have a 20/21st century Texan. Note damage in the ribcage. This is from a primative projectile weapon known as a "rifle."
He likely incurred this wound as a youth, but lived to a ripe old age.
All Texans of the period were fierce, warlike, tribemen, unparralleled in agressiveness, and raided lesser states, and even nations, rampaging and pillaging. . .
Details...details....
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Ummmmm. How long does the plague germ survive?
Throw my brain
In the hurricane
Look out, there goes my nose
Give my heart to the Junkman
But give my love to Rose"
"Please don't bury me"
By john Prine
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