More than 1,000 Ancient Skeletons found beneath Cambridge University

Archaeologists have discovered an enormous medieval cemetery containing an estimated 1,300 burials beneath St John’s College, Cambridge, thought to be among the largest medieval hospital burial grounds in Britain. It is believed that many of the remains belong to university scholars who had fallen on hard times and whose families could not afford more elaborate burials.

Cambridge University reports that historians first became aware of the existence and location of the cemetery in the 1950s, but the enormity of the burial ground was unknown until excavations began three years ago as part of the refurbishment of the Victorian building there. Details of the findings have only just been made public.

MORE