123 bodies found in England’s ancient Leicester Cathedral: what you need to know

A dig near Leicester Cathedral has led to the discovery of a burial pit containing the remains of 123 people. The discovery, described as one of the largest mass graves of the era, dates back more than 800 years, to the early 12th century. Despite the scale of the burial, no evidence of violence was found, leaving researchers to wonder whether starvation or disease was responsible for these deaths.

The team, led by Mathew Morris, project manager at the University of Leicester Archaeological Services, concluded that the pit had been quickly filled in during three successive depositions. Morris, in an interview published by The Guardiansaid the bodies appear to have been carted away and dumped into the well within a short time. He estimated that the buried individuals represented around 5 percent of Leicester’s medieval population.

Clues in historical documents and radiocarbon dating

According to the publication’s report, initial speculation linked the burial to the Black Death. However, radiocarbon tests placed the deaths in the 12th century, predating the plague by more than a century. Morris told the publication that this raised important questions because there was no clear record of the cause of these many deaths.

Historical accounts mention severe famines and plagues in England between the 10th and 12th centuries, offering potential explanations. This finding is consistent with descriptions of repeated outbreaks of disease and hunger.

Ongoing genetic investigations and analyzes

Samples were sent to the Francis Crick Institute in London to identify pathogens that could explain the mass deaths. The absence of clothing remains suggests deliberate preparation of the bodies, with burial practices hinting at civic organization even in times of crisis. The burial pit was discovered during work for a heritage learning center, which followed the discovery of the remains of Richard III in 2012. These excavations revealed almost 1,200 burials spanning eight centuries, offering a glimpse unique from Leicester’s past.