Intriguing finds could solve mystery of women in medieval cemetery

Intriguing new discoveries at a medieval cemetery in Wales have brought archaeologists one step closer to solving the mystery surrounding the women buried there.

They found what appeared to be a small building and uncovered domestic and decorative artifacts, including exquisitely colored glass beads.

So far, 58 skeletons dating back to the 6th or 7th century have been unearthed in the region. What was unusual was that almost all of them belonged to women.

The new finds add to growing evidence that the cemetery was part of an early female religious community.

Archaeologists have been excavating the grounds of Fonmon Castle, near the end of Cardiff airport runway, for the last four years.

The skeletons were buried in shallow graves carved into the limestone bedrock. While their bones and teeth show that they lived difficult lives, the objects found among the graves evoke wealth and luxury.

The team is trying to find out who these women are.

Now the latest excavation has provided an important clue: a sketch of what could have been a small building.

Dr. from Cardiff University, who directed the excavation. “It produces building block pieces, so it could be structural. We might be thinking of a small mausoleum or chapel,” says Andy Seaman.

“I think we have a site that could be an ancient religious community.”

The potential structure is located in the center of the cemetery and graves are clustered around it. Apparently people wanted to be buried as close to this feature as possible.

So close, in fact, that several people were found in some of these graves, says Tudur Davies, an archaeologist at Cardiff University.

“It’s a very desirable place for people to be buried,” he says.

“Sometimes two, three, four people are buried in the same spot over and over again. Putting the bodies in the same place and moving aside those that are still there doesn’t seem to be a taboo.”

Artifacts found at the site provide more information about the people buried here.

The objects were taken to Cardiff University’s laboratory. Conservator Clare Emerson meticulously removes dirt from the excavation from an ornate copper brooch.

“We’d have to do some more analysis, but it’s probably bronze,” he says. “We also think it’s gilded, meaning the top is gold-plated.”

He explains that the tips are coated with green enamel.

“This would be a very decorative brooch. I think it’s a very special find for this site.”

Alongside this piece of medieval ornament, the team also unearthed an elaborately patterned bone needle and a comb intricately carved from antler.

And there are some elegant, multicolored glass beads. Measuring approximately 3mm in diameter, each one is a miniature delight. They were probably sewn onto clothing or attached to a piece of jewelry.

However, the household items found in the region also tell us a lot.

“We have a grinding stone to grind flour to make bread. We have pottery and glass for eating and drinking,” says Dr Andy Seaman.

“It’s clear that this isn’t just a place for the dead. There’s a living community here, too.”

He feels that the community is closed off, living right next to the cemetery and isolated from the rest of society.

The pieces of this medieval puzzle are starting to come together. But there are still some questions.

The remains of several men were found; who were they? And were some of the children related to any of the women?

While most of the people in the cemetery were buried with great care, two women were thrown into a ditch with their hands and feet tied. What did they do to deserve this?

The team is now trying to figure out whether this could be an example of early Christianity.

“It’s a time when history hasn’t been written yet,” says Dr Seaman.

“We don’t really understand the early church spaces… how they functioned, what they looked like, how they were organized.

“We know this very well from later periods, but it wasn’t very well understood during this very formative period in history. So this is a really exciting opportunity.”

Archaeologists will continue their excavations later this year.