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A Tale of Two Coffins

Posted on July 30, 2007 | Filed Under Articles

In 2005 two sarcophagi were found on neighbouring sites located in the heart of what was once the richest Roman Cemetery in York. The first coffin was found during monitoring works during the redevelopment of two Victorian Villas at Mill Mount by Shepherd Homes. The lid of the coffin was removed on site to reveal that it contained a solid block of plaster - a type of Roman burial known as a Gypsum burial. The second coffin was discovered a short time later during archaeological excavation in the back garden of another Shepherd Homes property, 89 The Mount, some 200m closer to the city. Unlike the gypsum burial, the lid of this sarcophagus was removed to reveal a coffin full of soil.

Both sarcophagi were removed from the site with their contents intact and taken by lorry to separate locations to await further investigation and analysis. Thanks to Shepherd Building Group this work has now begun and we can report the following extraordinary preliminary results;

Mill Mount Sarcophagus

Before work could commence the upper surface of the gypsum burial was scanned by Deri Jones Associates using the latest 3D laser technology. The purpose of this was to identify and record any possible impressions in the gypsum made by objects or grave goods that were placed over the burial immediately following the pouring. The scan results were illuminating and clearly showed an oval or shield shaped impression in the surface of the cast over the head end of the burial. The what or the why of this is still a mystery but further investigation may provide an answer.

With the assistance of Andrew Morrison from the Yorkshire Museum the gypsum cast was carefully removed in July to reveal the occupant of the coffin, a teenager, who had lain undisturbed for almost 1800 years. Buried with this young person were two coins, one placed between their legs and the other under their bottom. A small fragment of possible leather was also found in the chest area of the body. One of the coins still has fabric adhering to it and both are currently with specialists from Durham University being identified and conserved.

Malin Holst (the osteoarchaeologist coordinating the project) has examined the skeleton and recorded a number of anomalies, which indicate that this person was suffering from a growth condition (skeletal displasia) causing premature aging in some areas and inhibited characteristics in others. The general age of the individual is thought to be between 11 and 14 at the time of death. Malin is now working with experts from York University to look at the DNA, Isotope and histology of the skeleton to help build up a more detailed picture of who this person once was and where they came from.

The underside of the cast has been even more revealing. Whilst the gypsum had failed to capture an impression of the young persons face it did record important information about the burial. From the cast it is clear that the upper part of the body had been tightly bound in a shroud with some form of covering or mask placed over the face to protect it. The lower part of the body from the thigh downward had not been covered and the cast showed that by the time the gypsum was poured over the body it had already partly decomposed.

Much work is still left to do before the mystery is solved. A 3D scan of the underside of the cast is scheduled for the end of July to be followed by further sampling and testing of the gypsum for traces of fats and minerals, which could help tell the story of the youngster in the coffin.

89 The Mount Sarcophagus

The second sarcophagus was also discovered intact, with its lid on, but full of soil. The coffin was scanned with a metal detector survey before being excavated to reveal the presence of two anomalies - one a copper alloy object central to the coffin and the other of iron at the end.

The excavation of the contents, which started in mid July, took a sudden twist when after removing 15cm of soil a layer of solid gypsum was found running the full length of the coffin. It seems that after more than 50 years without finding a gypsum burial in York two have now been discovered in the same year within a short distance of each other. This second discovery is even more important in that it now allows us to undertake comparative analysis with the one from Mill Mount for the first time using modern techniques.

The full extent of the gypsum cast has been revealed and work now suspended until the burial can be scanned to record every minute detail of the cast. This is scheduled to occur in early August.

A team of experts from Mike Griffiths and Associates, the Yorkshire Museum and the University of York are now engaged in putting together the next phase of work. It is hoped that by using an array of scientific techniques and more traditional archaeological research and recording we will not only be able to cast light on these two recent burials from The Mount but by doing so provide the key to unlock the mystery of the other gypsum burials stored at the Yorkshire Museum.

Progress on the project will be updated regularly on this website. For further details please contact Steve Timms at Mike Griffiths and Associates.

Nosterfield Open Day

Posted on July 24, 2007 | Filed Under Events

July 28, 2007

A public open day is being held on July 28th at Nosterfield Quarry visitor centre. For further details please contact Steve Timms at Mike Griffiths & Associates (01904) 656668.