2024-01-04 18:37:04
Skeleton found in stone-lined tomb – CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
MADRID, 4 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
A medieval cemetery discovered in the grounds of Fonmon Castle in Wales contains evidence that this place It was also used to host banquets next to the tombs.
Archaeologists from Cardiff University’s School of History, Archeology and Religion carried out an excavation last summer, and further dating and radiocarbon analysis revealed the full magnitude of their find. The excavation offers fascinating new evidence about life in early medieval Wales (AD 400-1100).
Researchers recovered many animal bone fragments, some of which show evidence of butchery and cooking, remains of metal work, and fragments of rare imported glass vessels.
It is believed that there may be up to 80 tombs, some of which display unusual characteristics, such as crouched body positions.
Dr Andy Seaman, Professor of Early Medieval Archaeology, said it’s a statement: “This is a really exciting discovery. Sites of this date are extremely rare in Wales and often do not preserve bones or artefacts. Fonmon Cemetery It will allow us to discover a lot about the people who lived here about 1,400 years ago.
“Other similar sites have found crouching bodies like this, but considering the number of graves we have examined so far, there appears to be a high proportion. “This could be evidence that some type of funeral rite is taking place.”
He added: “There is nothing to suggest that there were people living near the site, so the evidence of cooking and drinking vessels certainly suggests some level of ritual feasting, perhaps to celebrate or mourn the dead“.
Geophysical surveys carried out in the area during 2021 revealed a number of new archaeological sites that the team has been investigating. At first they thought they had discovered an old farm, but more detailed excavations have revealed a cemetery containing burials dating from the 6th and 7th centuries AD
The team’s work is one of several Cardiff University projects featured in an episode of the BBC program Digging for Britain.
Fonmon Castle was built as a defensive keep and administrative center around 1180 AD It was originally owned by the St John family, who were descended from Norman knights. It has had a colorful and varied history since then, opening to the public as a visitor attraction after the pandemic.
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