She was buried in a highly decorated lead coffin surrounded by objects, including jet hairpins and rare glass flasks
Credit: Colchester Archaeological Trust
NEED TO KNOW
- Archaeologists have discovered the ‘spectacular’ remains of a wealthy Roman woman at a former hospital site in England
- The burial site included grave goods like jet hairpins and glass flasks
- The remains were discovered after the area was dug up for the construction of 120 homes
The "spectacular" remains of a wealthy young Roman woman have been discovered during the construction of 120 homes in England.
Experts located the remains of the woman at the site of the former Essex County Hospital, around 70 miles east of London.
The wealthy woman is estimated to be in her late 20s or 30s, according to a release by the Colchester Archaeological Trust on Tuesday, May 12.
She was buried in a highly decorated lead coffin featuring images of seashells and fasces, and surrounded by objects including hairpins and rare glass flasks, which experts believe “indicates a carefully staged and richly furnished burial,” the release added.
Credit: Colchester Archaeological Trust
Residue analysis has identified frankincense and gypsum within the coffin, and exotic resins in one of the glass vessels, offering a rare glimpse into how her body was treated after her death.
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Credit: Colchester Archaeological Trust
The remains were first discovered at the start of a construction project to build 120 homes on the former hospital site.
“The decorated coffin is a beautiful object in its own right, but it is the combination of the coffin, the grave goods and the scientific evidence that makes this burial so compelling,” Adam Wightman, Director of Archaeology at Colchester Archaeological Trust, said in the release.
“Together they allow us to glimpse not just a person, but the care, ritual and belief that surrounded her burial.”
The burial of the high-status woman, who may have grown up in Colchester, Essex, is due to go on display at an exhibition from Saturday, May 16.
Credit: Colchester Archaeological Trust
Intrigued members of the public will be able to see the coffin, her remains and interpretations about her life and burial.
Robert Masefield, Archaeology Director at Tetra Tech Consulting Limited, praised the discovery and described it as “the most spectacular” Roman burial he had seen.
Credit: Colchester Archaeological Trust
“This is certainly the most spectacular I have seen, in terms of signifying the trappings of wealth and symbolism in death, of a fully Romanised citizen," he added.
Colchester was invaded by the Romans in AD 43, according to the Colchester Heritage Explorer's website. The city is also home to the only known Roman Circus in Britain, which was discovered in 2004, where they would host sporting events such as chariot races, per Visit Colchester.
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