Eerie Discovery at The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury
Archaeologists have discovered human remains dating back to the 7th century during excavation work at The Old Bell Hotel in the United Kingdom. A total of 24 “identifiable” skeletons, including men, women, and children who lived and died in Malmesbury Abbey, were found during the dig. These remains were unearthed from 13 different sites across the town as part of a routine archaeological survey.
Unexpected findings
Volunteers working with archaeologists on the Big Athelstan Dig, a community archaeology event marking the 1,100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming the first King of all England, made the discovery. According to researchers, the burials date from the 7th century, with the Anglo-Saxon skeletons likely from 670 to 940 AD. Despite its proximity to a historic church, the sheer number of remains found surprised archaeologists.
Historical context
The Old Bell Hotel, recognized as a historic site since 1220, is located adjacent to Malmesbury Abbey. The graves were discovered west of the former cloisters, not in the previously believed location of the medieval cemetery to the south of the Abbey. Cotswold Archaeology, involved in the excavation, noted the unexpected number of remains and the absence of physical evidence of early monastic life in Malmesbury before this find.
Construction over burials
Built approximately 500 years after the burials, the hotel’s construction likely disturbed the cemetery, although builders at the time may have been unaware of its existence. “There is plentiful archaeological evidence that medieval walls were constructed directly over, and sometimes even through, burials,” a representative from Cotswold Archaeology told Fox News.
Jim and Whit Hanks, owners of The Old Bell Hotel, expressed their honor at being part of such a significant historical discovery. “It’s fitting that the earliest remains have been found near the Abbey, on the grounds of England’s oldest hotel,” they said.
Cotswold Archaeology currently holds the remains, with decisions regarding their storage to be made in due course, according to a hotel representative.