Mystery skeleton – the story so far!

It’s now some fifteen weeks since the undisturbed limestone sarcophagus was delicately lifted from the excavation site at Lincoln Castle – from an area destined to become a lift shaft. Taking 14 hours on a cold November day the archaeologists successfully completed their mission!

The stone coffin, which was found in a previously unknown Saxon church, is currently being studied and cared for by conservation specialists seeking to reveal any clues to its historical significance.

The skeleton is also in expert care, and is being carefully analysed by an osteologist. The story we know so far is that the skeleton is a man, aged in his early twenties and further analysis will help us to discover more about his life, diet and illness. We do know a little about his clothing as the skeleton was ‘wearing’ leather boots –  a further sign of his high status. The story continues………