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Richard III team makes second Leicester car park find | Richard III team makes second Leicester car park find |
(4 days later) | |
The team that discovered the remains of Richard III under a Leicester car park has made another find. | The team that discovered the remains of Richard III under a Leicester car park has made another find. |
A 1,700-year-old Roman cemetery has been identified beneath another car park in the city. | A 1,700-year-old Roman cemetery has been identified beneath another car park in the city. |
Archaeologists from the University of Leicester believe the remains date back to AD300. | |
Researchers found 13 sets of remains of mixed age and sex as well as hairpins, belt buckles and other personal items at the site on Oxford Street. | Researchers found 13 sets of remains of mixed age and sex as well as hairpins, belt buckles and other personal items at the site on Oxford Street. |
In February remains found beneath Greyfriars car park were revealed to be those of the last Plantagenet monarch, Richard III. | In February remains found beneath Greyfriars car park were revealed to be those of the last Plantagenet monarch, Richard III. |
Jet ring | Jet ring |
Project officer John Thomas said: "We have discovered new evidence about a known cemetery that existed outside the walled town of Roman Leicester during the 3rd to 4th Centuries AD. | Project officer John Thomas said: "We have discovered new evidence about a known cemetery that existed outside the walled town of Roman Leicester during the 3rd to 4th Centuries AD. |
"The excavation, at the junction of Oxford Street and Newarke Street, lies approximately 130m outside the south gate of Roman Leicester. | "The excavation, at the junction of Oxford Street and Newarke Street, lies approximately 130m outside the south gate of Roman Leicester. |
"Unusually, the 13 burials found during the recent excavations, of mixed age and sex, displayed a variety of burial traditions including east to west and north to south-oriented graves, many with personal items such as hobnailed shoes." | "Unusually, the 13 burials found during the recent excavations, of mixed age and sex, displayed a variety of burial traditions including east to west and north to south-oriented graves, many with personal items such as hobnailed shoes." |
During the dig archaeologists also found a jet ring bearing what is possibly an early Christian symbol. | During the dig archaeologists also found a jet ring bearing what is possibly an early Christian symbol. |
"Roman law forbade burial within the town limits so cemeteries developed outside the walls, close to well-used roads," added Mr Thomas. | "Roman law forbade burial within the town limits so cemeteries developed outside the walls, close to well-used roads," added Mr Thomas. |
Previous excavations on Newarke Street have revealed numerous Christian burial grounds near the present site. | Previous excavations on Newarke Street have revealed numerous Christian burial grounds near the present site. |
Unusually, the recent excavations display a variety of burial traditions. | Unusually, the recent excavations display a variety of burial traditions. |
One grave possibly even suggests a Pagan burial, with the body laid on its side in a semi-foetal position and the head removed and placed near the feet, alongside two pottery jars that would have held offerings for the journey to the afterlife. | One grave possibly even suggests a Pagan burial, with the body laid on its side in a semi-foetal position and the head removed and placed near the feet, alongside two pottery jars that would have held offerings for the journey to the afterlife. |
"It is possible from the variety of burials found that the cemetery catered for a range of beliefs that would have been important to people living in Leicester at this time," said Mr Thomas. | "It is possible from the variety of burials found that the cemetery catered for a range of beliefs that would have been important to people living in Leicester at this time," said Mr Thomas. |
The site is earmarked for development. | The site is earmarked for development. |
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