In an unexpected twist, archaeologists investigating a “truly unique and remarkable” lead coffin from Roman era Britain have identified a set of previously undocumented remains.
Found in 2022, archaeologists hailed the discovery of a hidden cemetery in Garforth, Leeds as a “once-in-a-lifetime find”. The site, dating back 1,600 years, included the remains of a high-status Roman woman encased in a lead coffin, as well as sixty other bodies, including men, women, and twenty-three children.
The pick of the finds were the remains of the late-Roman period aristocratic woman, signified by the lead coffin containing pieces of jewelry, an expensive burial practice and a marker of high social status. Now, examination of the remains has revealed that the bones include that of a child of around 10 years of age.
The news release from Leeds Council stated that whilst it is not possible to say exactly who the child was, or its relationship to the woman, ‘carbon dating of the remains has revealed that their burials took place around the same time, raising intriguing questions about late Roman burial practices in Britain.’
David Hunter, the principal archaeologist with West Yorkshire Joint Services, said, “This has the potential to be a find of massive significance for what we understand about the development of ancient Britain and Yorkshire.”
The lead coffin of the aristocratic Roman woman and child found in Yorkshire, Northern England. (Leeds City Council)
