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Headland Archaeology/ Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation
This carved slab, thought to be the headstone of a medieval knight, was found under a parking lot in Edinburgh.
By Megan Gannon, LiveScience
A medieval headstone and skeleton have been found underneath a parking lot in Scotland, and researchers believe they might belong to a knight.
Archaeologists who were on hand during the construction of a new building in Edinburgh uncovered a carved sandstone slab, decorated with markers of nobility — a Calvary cross and a sword. Nearby, the team found an adult skeleton, which is thought to have once occupied the grave. Scientists plan to analyze the bones and teeth to learn more about this possible knight or nobleman.
"We hope to find out more about the person buried in the tomb once we remove the headstone and get to the remains underneath, but our archaeologists have already dated the gravestone to the thirteenth century," Richard Lewis, a member of the City of Edinburgh Council, said in a statement.
"This find has the potential to be one of the most significant and exciting archaeological discoveries in the city for many years, providing us with yet more clues as to what life was like in medieval Edinburgh." [8 Grisly Archaeological Discoveries]
Builders at the site expected they would find historic objects during construction. Before it became a parking lot (coincidentally, once used by the University of Edinburgh's archaeology department), the site housed the 17th-century Royal High School, the 16th-century Old High School, and the 13th-century Blackfriars Monastery, researchers said. Archaeologists also apparently uncovered some medieval remains of the monastery, which had been destroyed and somewhat lost since the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century.
"We always knew that the building retrofit might uncover historical artifacts — given the site's history — but this knight is an extraordinary and exciting find," said Andy Kerr, director of the Edinburgh Center for Carbon Innovation, which is undertaking the construction at the site.
Parking lots are turning out to be treasure troves in the United Kingdom. Last summer, a mutilated skeleton was unearthed from a medieval church that had been buried underneath a lot in Leicester, England. Scientists recently announced that the bones were confirmed to belong to King Richard III, who was apparently buried there after his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field, during the War of the Roses. In fact, the English monarch's remains are still the center of much fascination and passionate debate. For instance, was the real-life king the villain described in the Shakespeare play of his namesake? And where should King Richard III's bones be re-interred?
Email Megan Gannon or follow her @meganigannon. Follow LiveScienceon Twitter @livescience. We're also on Facebook& Google+. Original article on LiveScience.com
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Leave a Comment:
Soooooo. Why wasn't the body still in the tomb? I'm guessing whoever put in the parking lot disrupted it and didn't say anything so there wouldn't be a work stoppage.
"Nearby, the team found an adult skeleton, which is thought to have once occupied the grave."
These dumb dicks have freed another zombie.
William Wallace? I know he was killed in London but I don't know where the pieces of his body are buried. At least these people in Scotland and England know how to preserve history. Put a parking lot over it.
"They paved paradise and put up a parkin' lot..." --Joni Mitchell
Did you read the article? They HAVEN'T opened the tomb yet.
"We hope to find out more about the person buried in the tomb once we remove the headstone and get to the remains underneath, but our archaeologists have already dated the gravestone to the thirteenth century," Richard Lewis, a member of the City of Edinburgh Council, said in a statement.
"Nearby, the team found an adult skeleton, which is thought to have once occupied the grave."
All you're doing now is assuming it came from the grave. When they open the grave, they will know at that time.
Exactly. As a monastery once stood on this site, it would have had a graveyard, not only for the monks, but for lay people who donated to or supported the monastic foundation. The head stone and skeleton found nearby need not be connected. There are likely other graves under this parking lot as well.
Good news for archeology, bad news for finding a place to park.
Nice find. I wonder if the grave will contain any of his gear. I would love to see a real Knights sword from that era. It could very well be that Knight was part of the Crusades.
Most people I have talked to, think history is quite dry and boring.Yet they see stories like this, then their interest is peaked and the realization seems to hit, that folks really weren't that much different from who we are today. Hopefully, some begin to appreciate more all the positive advances made in every field, the degree to which life has been improved in ways ancient folks never dreamed of existing.
Sure, how wonderful to have a piece of equipment, or wear such an outfit like an ancient knight owned. There is an organization where folks get together and dress up like Medieval folks.They fight in battles wearing armor they have made with swords & shields,( quite accurate and heavy), have feasts, do crafts from that time period. Even give out knighthood as one advances from gaining skills in battle, other challenges. A fantasy world to escape the stresses of real life.Known as the Society for Creative Anachronisms. It is as close to time travel as one can get.But it still isn't being there,enduring the hardships
If the grave found does belong to a real knight, truly he understands the cost and hardship like none other can from his times. As hard as the SCA group tries to preserve knowledge of skills,common life, by getting together often in fun activities.But the truth of the matter is, most wouldn't place their life on the line to go back to Medieval times and spend a month or two visiting,living under threat of disease, injury, hardship, loss of freedoms and rights, nor expose loved ones to something perhaps brought back, or to, if they brought family along. We must with deepest respect, acknowledge the courage it took to just try to survive each day.
It's human nature to take so much for granted, and being ignorant in not knowing how to fit "in" with the harshness of such a life. Let's hope this poor soul uncovered, will be quickly relocated to a peaceful spot, where he can be left alone to slumber.Far removed from the hustle and bustle of traffic and noise. In an age hundreds of years after his, which no doubt he would be left feeling lost.
What an amazing find! Let's hope that the archeologists and other scientists are able to find out if, or how, the skeleton "migrated" from the "tomb." Wonder what the tomb was made of? Isn't it usually stone? Hmmm.
At least this was a real knight. Now you become one by writing lame pop songs or starring in crappy movies or sometimes just for being really rich. Kind of degrades the whole thing now just so the royals can try to show that they still matter.
another bury under the parking lot! So, the surrounding developments is a-an a-an-c-cient cemetery???!?
g-ghosts in the basement? yikes.
Sad and amazing what Henry VIII and his cronies destroyed, when taking England away from the Catholic Church. Anglicans today appreciate and lament what was lost: stained glass windows, statues, rood screens, altars, sacred vessels, all smashed, destroyed, looted or sold. Beautiful ancient abbeys, friaries, and convents were closed, sold, given to friends of the king, or allowed to fall into ruins. Whatever you think of Catholicism, all of these things were still part of the collective cultural heritage of the English people. Those living at the time of the destruction saw connections to their parents and ancestors disappear, beloved customs go, and a way of life that had existed for 1,000 years, vanish by royal decree. I hope the remains of the Catholic knight or nobleman found in this story get a proper reburial. Imagine the buildings, monks, and lay people that were there FOR his burial in the 13th century.
Imagine all the buildings, books and cultures destroyed around the world in the name of the Catholic church.
Yes, just imagine it, and your point is WHAT? Just had to get a little dig in at the Catholic Church? Does destruction coming from one group make that coming from another okay in your eyes? ALL cultural destruction is wrong, but by all means, twist things to get your "point" across. The food section has an article about the Pope's favorite desert. Trot on over there why don't you, and leave a morally superior comment about 16th century food poisonings and blame them on Jesuits.
The carving of a sword appears to be that of an English broadsword. The broadsword was held principally by noblemen or royalty in combat.
"the site housed the 17th-century Royal High School, the 16th-century Old High School, and the 13th-century Blackfriars Monastery or also known as "The New School", researchers said."
I love history. I enjoy reading about these finds. Of course, I would want to see the remains re-interred properly, but it won't hurt to examine them before reburial. I know we live in a changing world, but I would like to think that we can also respect the dearly departed more than them being used as a parking lot base.
I hope the news keeps up with this story. It should be interesting.
I hope they find the word "neee" carved on the headstone.
"Neee" won't be there. It was erased centuries ago by the stone coming into contact with an abrasive shrubbery.
Considering that there had been a monastary on this site at about the time that this knight was interred, I would venture a guess that there may have been a crypt there in which this knight was laid to rest. The question would arise: What happened to the monastary? Did it burn down and its crypt collapse in on itself? Succeeding generations were obviously oblivious to the remains when they erected the 16th century and 17th century schools that were built over it. Some clues concerning the construction of the previous buildings might shed light on that if there are any existing records left from that period. I would also venture a guess that if there is one remains there at this site then there is possibly more. The foundations of the monastary might still be found, and that also would determine where the remains were in relation to the former building. A full on excavation would have to be conducted.
a guy can not rest in peace it seems no which way .