Discovered beneath a retail establishment: 317 human remainsunearthed
In the heart of Gloucester, the University of Gloucestershire has been busy renovating the former Debenhams department store in Kings Square, transforming it into a new university campus. Amidst the construction, archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology have made an unexpected discovery - the remains of 317 individuals from medieval and post-medieval burial grounds.
This revelation is not the only historical find at the site. Preliminary studies on the teeth of these skeletons suggest that the people they belonged to likely consumed a diet high in sugar. Additionally, artifacts such as a tobacco pipe and fragments of a wine bottle were found among the remains.
The site was once the northeast quadrant of an ancient Roman town, and evidence of this has also been uncovered. Archaeologists have found the foundations of a townhouse from the Roman period, as well as numerous pottery pieces. In fact, many earlier artifacts from the Roman period have surfaced, offering a glimpse into the town's past.
Despite these fascinating discoveries, the human remains will not be on display at the university. Further details about the ancient Roman town and the plans for the human remains beyond their excavation were not provided.
It's worth noting that the site is not just a piece of history. Elizabeth Rayne, a writer who has contributed to various publications, including Popular Mechanics, Ars Technica, SYFY WIRE, Space.com, Live Science, Den of Geek, Forbidden Futures, and Collective Tales, resides outside of New York City with her pet parrot, Lestat. When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys drawing, playing the piano, and shapeshifting.
The University of Gloucester's City Campus is scheduled to open in September, and the Roman, medieval, and post-medieval artifacts found at the site will be displayed once the campus opens. The campus's opening will undoubtedly provide visitors with a unique opportunity to learn more about the site's rich history.
