Skeleton's identity narrowed

A new study has identified two possible candidates for the skeleton found in a stone coffin in Westminster Abbey more than 150 years ago. Warwick Rodwell, a consulting archaeologist for the abbey, proposed two names of high-ranking monks who could be the deceased.

Coffin's history and features

The skeleton was discovered in a stone coffin during work in 1869. The coffin's lid is decorated with an Anglo-Saxon cross from the 11th century, and one side features a Latin epitaph from the 4th century, which can be translated as: "In memory of Valerius Amandinus. Valerius Superventor and Marcellus made this for their father."

Analysis of the remains

Experts had previously been unable to determine the identity of the person buried in the tomb. In 2016, the coffin was opened for conservation purposes, revealing a complete skeleton. Analysis of the bones indicated the deceased was a man aged between 35 and 49 years, of average height, with signs of arthritis and two healed rib injuries.

Dating and possible identity

Carbon-14 dating placed his death between 987 and 1052, confirming that the Roman-era coffin had been reused in the Middle Ages. In a study published on October 21 in the Journal of British Archaeological Association, Rodwell suggested the deceased was likely an abbot, given the tomb's decoration.

Candidate abbots identified

By cross-referencing the birth and death dates of the abbots of Westminster with their tenure, he identified three candidates: Wulfsige (abbot from 988 to 993), Aelfwig (993 to 1020), and Wulfnoth (1020 to 1049). Wulfsige left Westminster to become a bishop elsewhere, making his burial there less likely. This leaves Aelfwig and Wulfnoth as the two plausible candidates.

Coffin's origins and display

The study notes that the Roman coffin, made of limestone from a southern English county, may have originally been buried in a Roman mausoleum, though this remains hypothetical. The coffin is currently on display in the Diamond Jubilee galleries at Westminster Abbey. The reasons for the medieval monk's burial in a reused Roman coffin remain unclear, as this practice was rare.