Mystery of medieval cemetery near UK airport runway deepens | BBC News

Key Concepts:

Early medieval cemetery, 6th-7th century, unusual burial practices, predominantly female skeletons, infant mortality, signs of wealth and luxury, pottery, glass artifacts, isotopic analysis, diet, origin of individuals, social status, outcast burial.

Excavation and Initial Findings:

• A cemetery dating back to the 6th or 7th century is being excavated near Cardiff Airport.
• The cemetery contains dozens of well-preserved skeletons.
• Archaeologists are puzzled by the unusual characteristics of the burials.

Demographics and Burial Peculiarities:

• The majority of skeletons found are female, suggesting the cemetery was not a typical medieval community.
• Approximately 40 bodies have been found in the excavated portion of the cemetery.
• Each grave is dug out of solid limestone bedrock.
• There are very few child burials compared to the expected high infant mortality rate of the period (only two children found).
• The soil used to backfill the children's graves is darker and more organic, suggesting a possible time gap between the adult and child burials.

Signs of Wealth and Social Status:

• Despite signs of hard lives (wear and tear on bones), there are also indications of wealth and luxury.
• The site was used for feasting and drinking, evidenced by delicate pottery and finely decorated glass.
• Glass artifacts are rare and indicate significant status.
• The glass was likely made in the Levant (Egypt area) and manufactured into vessels in southern France, possibly arriving with wine in barrels.
• Each person appears to have been buried with respect and care, except for one individual.

The Outcast Burial:

• One skeleton was found in a ditch at the edge of the site, tossed in without ceremony.
• The bones belong to an adult female, estimated to be in her late 30s or early 40s.
• The team is investigating why she was treated differently, considering possibilities such as being an outcast or a criminal.

Isotopic Analysis and Dietary Insights:

• Tooth analysis reveals life history details, including health and diet.
• The diet was consistently based on carbohydrates with little meat, from childhood to adulthood, across the population.
• There is a notable absence of fish in the diet after the Roman period, which is considered a mystery.

Origin and Community Insights:

• Tests on 10 skeletons indicate origins from different parts of Wales and possibly the southwest of England.
• Researchers aim to understand the lives of individuals within the cemetery and the broader community.
• This excavation provides a rare opportunity to explore a single community in detail, contrasting with the more common focus on royalty.

Future Excavations and Expectations:

• Only half of the cemetery has been uncovered.
• Further excavations are planned for the summer.
• Archaeologists anticipate more surprises from this remarkable site.

Conclusion:

The early medieval cemetery near Cardiff Airport presents a unique archaeological puzzle. The predominantly female burials, unusual burial practices, signs of wealth, and dietary patterns challenge conventional understanding of early medieval communities. Further research and excavation promise to reveal more about the lives, origins, and social structures of these individuals.