In a captivating twist of history, archaeologists may have unraveled the mystery surrounding a Roman sarcophagus unearthed in Westminster Abbey over a century ago. This limestone sarcophagus, discovered in 1820 and formally excavated in 1869, has intrigued scholars for decades.
Originally found north of the nave, experts led by Professor Warwick Rodwell, a consultant archaeologist at Westminster Abbey, suggest its initial burial site was likely a wall recess within a mausoleum, according to the Guardian. The sarcophagus, a fascinating blend of eras, was crafted in the 4th century and inscribed with the name Valerius Amandinus, but it also features an Anglo-Saxon style cross engraved on its lid.
The absence of Roman artifacts within or around the sarcophagus, along with other indicators, casts doubt on whether Valerius Amandinus, presumed to be a wealthy Roman, was indeed the individual buried within. Instead, skeletal analysis points to a male, approximately five feet, nine inches tall, aged between 35 and 49 years, who lived during the late 10th or early 11th century, well after Roman control in Britain had ended.
Intriguingly, researchers observed a rectangular outline in a white substance at the base of the sarcophagus, which Rodwell notes in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association, might suggest the body was covered in powdered lime before interment.
Based on these findings, Rodwell surmises the skeleton likely belonged to an abbot. He explained to the Guardian, “Nobody of lower rank would have been buried in anything like that. The Latin cross again points to a major ecclesiastic.”
Narrowing down potential identities, Rodwell proposes two candidates, Ælfwig and Wulfnoth, both former abbots. However, he leans towards Ælfwig as the likely occupant, citing his long tenure of 27 years as abbot at Westminster Abbey following the previous abbot’s passing.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
