National Highways, a government-owned transportation authority in England, announced last week that archaeologists discovered a rare ancient Roman burial site, including a stone coffin, during highway upgrades along the A47 in East England, according to Fox News.
Archaeologists unearthed a small Roman tomb featuring a hand-carved sarcophagus believed to be over 1,500 years old. The sarcophagus was part of a small Roman roadside cemetery uncovered during the roadworks. The coffin had remained "undisturbed since its burial in Roman times."
"It's a unique discovery in this area and a fascinating find," said David Harrison, project manager at Headland Archaeology, noting its significance for understanding Roman life and death, according to Earth.com.
"These factors coupled with the central position of the burial within the cemetery points to an important person, perhaps the head of a prominent family," said Jessica Lowther, a community archaeologist at Headland Archaeology, according to Fox News. Twenty-three other graves were found nearby.
According to Archaeology Magazine, the sarcophagus was ornately carved from stone quarried from more than 30 miles away. While stone coffins are not particularly rare discoveries from Roman Britain, Archaeology Magazine reported that this one features a gypsum burial—a rare funerary practice in rural sites—indicating the individual was of high status despite the absence of grave goods.
"We don't know exactly why bodies were encased in plaster. It could also indicate the burial of a wealthy person," stated National Highways.
The discovery also included glass and ceramic drinking vessels, possibly for a last toast at the graveside or a commemorative anniversary. "One grave of a young woman contained a collection of valuables, all laid at the feet of the body," said National Highways. "This could be the dowry of a young woman accompanying her into the afterlife."
After the discovery, a team from Headland Archaeology safely removed the artifact, with construction teams collaborating with them for seven months. The coffin was transported to Headland Archaeology's offices in the village of Silsoe for careful extraction, requiring an engineering strategy to preserve the carving and any objects that might remain inside.
The large-scale effort involved experts from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), York Archaeology, Heritage 360, and Clivedon Conservation. Each group contributed specific skills to ensure the safe handling and thorough documentation of sensitive artifacts.
"While our main focus has been on building a road to improve journeys for road users, it's been extremely satisfying to play a part in uncovering such an unusual archaeological find," remarked Chris Griffin, who directs the National Highways program in the east region.
Specialists at MOLA and other heritage institutions will analyze fragments and items from the site to understand construction methods, potential funerary offerings, and any remains that might shed light on health conditions of that era. Scholars of Roman Britain point out that many cemeteries from the third and fourth centuries lacked elaborate markers, so stone coffins offer rare physical proof of local customs.
"Its careful excavation and recording, both in the field and the laboratory, allows us to continue to learn how our Roman ancestors lived and died," added Harrison.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.