Mystery of Roman sarcophagus unearthed at Westminster Abbey solved at last, expert says
Archaeologist says skeleton inside coffin inscribed to Valerius Amandinus is likely to be remains of 11th-century abbot
TL;DR
- A skeleton was discovered inside a Roman sarcophagus unearthed at Westminster Abbey.
- The sarcophagus was originally from the late Roman period and inscribed to Valerius Amandinus.
- Subsequent investigations and radiocarbon dating of the skeleton suggest the remains are from the late 10th or early 11th century.
- Archaeologist Prof. Warwick Rodwell believes the skeleton belongs to a medieval abbot, most likely Ælfwig.
- The sarcophagus lid was modified with a late Anglo-Saxon cross, indicating a Christian burial, and only a high-ranking individual would have been interred in such a sarcophagus.
- The body was likely covered in powdered lime and placed in a wooden coffin within the sarcophagus.