The soil has been so disturbed in Britain over thousands of years that a site 100 feet away from Newman's grave (or even 50 feet away) may have completely different soil.
Not at all surprising that his bones have completely decomposed. The coffin was essentially gone as well. I saw photos of the brass coffin plate, and even it was in very, very bad shape.
Some conspiracy theorists having a field day. Do they think Charles Kingsley stole Cdl. Newman's body?
I thought the media’s obvious conclusion would be that the bishop had no bones to begin with!