ARCHAEOLOGY: Skeletons: Remains of 240 people under Wales' Haverfordwest store

 It's always amazing to read the number of archaeological finds that happen throughout the United Kingdom on a weekly basis. Today's blog is about a discovery of skeletons that date back to at least the medieval period.  Here's the story from BBC News.

(Photo: Some skulls have been found with injuries consistent with having been in battle, according to the experts. Credit BBC) 

Skeletons: Remains of 240 people under Haverfordwest store in Wales 

BBC NEWS, Oct. 12, 2022 By Aled Scourfield

Some remains have been found with head injuries, possibly caused by a battle involving arrows or musket balls

The remains of more than 240 people, including children, have been unearthed by archaeologists working on the remnants of a medieval priory found beneath a former department store.

The "hugely significant" discovery was made under the old Ocky White building in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Archaeologists believe the ruins are from St Saviour's Priory, founded by a Dominican order of monks in about 1256. One expert said it offered a "window into medieval Haverfordwest". 

Some skulls have been found with injuries consistent with having been in battle, according to the experts Site supervisor Andrew Shobbrook, from Dyfed Archaeological Trust, described the priory as a significant complex of buildings with dormitories, scriptoriums - rooms devoted to writing and manuscripts - stables and a hospital.

"It's quite a prestigious place to be buried. You have a range of people, from the wealthy to general townsfolk," he said. It is believed that the graveyard could have been used until the early 18th Century.

All the bones will be analysed by a specialist before being reburied on consecrated ground nearby.

(Photo: Archaeologists believe the ruins are from a 13th Century priory, including a hospital. Credit BBC) 

Some of the remains have been found with head injuries, consistent with having been in battle, and the wounds could have been caused by arrows or musket balls, according to Mr Shobbrook.

One theory is that the victims could date from an attack led by Owain Glyndŵr, who was the last native Welsh person to hold the title Prince of Wales.

It was a joint assault by Welsh and French forces, who had united to battle English occupation of Wales. "We know that the town was besieged in 1405 by Owain Glyndŵr and they could be victims of that conflict," said Mr Shobbrook. The remains and other finds, including tiles, are being stored at a nearby disused shop after being cleaned and dried.

(Photo: Hundreds of remains and artefacts have been unearthed. Credit: BBC News) 

Archaeologists Andrew Shobbrook and Gaby Lester say the finds are significant. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would involved in something so big," said archaeologist Gaby Lester. "The site is showing itself to be massive part of the history of Haverfordwest and Pembrokeshire."

The site is being redeveloped to become a food emporium, bar and rooftop terrace.