Archaeologists have recently unearthed ancient skeletons that might belong to victims of the Black Death, located just beneath one of London’s well-visited sites. The news was shared by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the entity responsible for overseeing the Tower of London. This discovery was made during spring excavations, the first at the Tower in 30 years, ahead of planned renovations for St. Peter Ad Vincula, a chapel that dates back to the 15th century.
HRP noted that the chapel serves as a burial site for many, including three queens and two Catholic saints, though much of its history is still somewhat mysterious. They mentioned that the latest excavations are starting to illuminate both the chapel’s evolution and the individuals associated with it.
Significantly, archaeologists uncovered mass graves containing skeletons from the 14th century, which may be linked to the plague. Moreover, older tombs were found, hinting at even richer historical layers. In another finding, they discovered three skeletons from the late 12th or early 13th century, indicating a rare burial practice possibly reserved for those of higher status.
Ultimately, 20 sets of human remains were recovered during this excavation, in addition to fragments of burial shrouds, which HRP described as quite rare. One particularly unusual burial featured two pots filled with charcoal dating back to the 12th to early 13th centuries—a type of tomb not commonly recorded in England.
Alfred Hawkins, curator of HRP’s historic buildings, described this excavation as a “generational opportunity.” He emphasized that these findings were key to enhancing public access to an important place of worship, while also allowing for deeper exploration of its historical sites. Along with the skeletal remains, indications of the chapel’s early versions were revealed.
Despite the current chapel being constructed in 1520, evidence suggests there was a significant burning event that possibly led to previous structures’ decline. It’s believed that King Edward I may have commissioned parts of this structure in 1287. Moreover, HRP suggested that excavated layers could have been worked on by Henry III in 1240, with other remnants pointing to a chapel built in the 12th century by Henry I, about which little is known.
This excavation marks a substantial advancement in archaeological efforts at the Tower, providing a unique chance to deepen the understanding of those who lived, worshipped, and were laid to rest there. Jane Siddell, a principal at Historic England, remarked on the project’s potential to offer insights into the lives of the Tower’s residents in ways previously not possible, reiterating that there’s much more to uncover as further analysis progresses.
