Westminster Abbey Sarcophagus Mystery

What happened

The outlets' own sentences, most widely reported first. Hover or tap one to see who reported it.

Analysis

How it changed

1. 21 Oct

   First discovered in 1820, the limestone sarcophagus was officially excavated in 1869 from what is now an area of grass along the north side of the nave, but was once the yard of a sacristy built by Henry III.

   2 outlets · The Guardian
2. 23 Oct

   A centuries-old archaeological puzzle at Westminster Abbey in London may finally be nearing a resolution, with new research suggesting that a skeleton discovered inside a Roman stone coffin belonged to a medieval abbot rather than the Roman-era man named on its inscription.

   2 outlets · Times of India

Coverage 3 articles

• 23 Oct New Study Of Westminster Sarcophagus: Roman coffin holds medieval abbot; identity still debatedArchaeologists at Westminster Abbey have re-examined a Roman sarcophagus that was officially excavated in 1869 but possibly discovered earlier during building work. Inside, they found a nearly complete skeleton of a man who lived between AD 987 and 1052, contradicting the coffin's original inscription for a fourth-century Roman named Valerius Amandinus. The new study by Warwick Rodwell identifies signs of…Times of India
• 21 Oct Mystery of Westminster Abbey skeleton 'solved'A mystery surrounding a skeleton found inside a Roman sarcophagus at Westminster Abbey may have been solved after carbon dating revealed it dates back to around 1000 AD. Initially believed to belong to Valerius Amandinus, a wealthy Briton from the late Roman period, experts now suggest the remains are those of a high-ranking medieval monk or abbot who lived between 987 and 1052 AD. Professor Warwick Rodwell proposes…Evening Standard
• 21 Oct Mystery of Roman sarcophagus unearthed at Westminster Abbey solved at last, expert saysA Roman sarcophagus discovered in 1869 within Westminster Abbey grounds has long puzzled archaeologists due to its contents not matching the period suggested by the artifact itself. Consultant archaeologist Warwick Rodwell recently published findings suggesting the remains inside belonged to a medieval abbot, likely Ælfwig who died around 1020, based on radiocarbon dating and historical context. The sarcophagus…The Guardian

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