Medieval monk's remains identified in Westminster Abbey sarcophagus

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 06:20 · Archive

Archaeologists say remains found in a Roman sarcophagus at Westminster Abbey in 1869 belonged to a high-ranking medieval monk.

Archaeologists have identified remains discovered at Westminster Abbey more than 150 years ago as belonging to a high-ranking medieval monk. The skeleton was found inside a Roman sarcophagus in 1869, though the coffin itself dates to the late Roman period and bears an inscription to Valerius Amandinus, a wealthy individual from the period 300 to 400AD. The mystery persisted because the burial location did not match the artefacts found.

Professor Warwick Rodwell, consultant archaeologist at Westminster Abbey, led a team that analysed the remains. They determined the skeleton belonged to a man approximately 5ft 9in tall who died between the ages of 35 and 49. Rodwell suggests the individual is likely either Aelfwig or Wulnoth. A carved cross on the sarcophagus lid, a modification to the original Roman lid, dates to the 10th or 11th century and represents a specific late Anglo-Saxon cross type, indicating the remains belonged to someone who died centuries after the sarcophagus was created.

The sarcophagus was first accidentally discovered in 1820 when its lid was damaged. It was officially excavated in 1869 from an area on the north side of the abbey that was once the yard of a sacristy built by Henry III. Rodwell's findings were published in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association following a 2018 investigation as part of plans to display the sarcophagus in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries.

How it is being reported

• Mystery of Roman sarcophagus unearthed at Westminster Abbey solved at last, expert saysArchaeologist says skeleton inside coffin inscribed to Valerius Amandinus is likely to be remains of 11th-century abbot It has all the ingredients of a chilling mystery: the skeleton of an unknown man discovered within a Roman sarcophagus unearthed in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. Now an expert has said he has solved the longstanding “who-is-it”, suggesting the remains belonged to a medieval abbot. Continue reading...The Guardian · 21 Oct, 06:00
• Mystery of the skeleton discovered at Westminster Abbey is SOLVED: Remains found in Roman sarcophagus in 1869 belong to a high-ranking medieval monk, experts sayThe identity of a mysterious skeleton discovered at Westminster Abbey more than 150 years ago may have been solved.Daily Mail · 21 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Westminster Abbey · Valerius Amandinus · Aelfwig · Wulnoth · Professor Warwick Rodwell · Henry III

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