Intriguing finds could solve mystery of women in medieval...

What’s Happening

Not gonna lie, There is growing evidence that the women were part of an early female religious community.

Intriguing finds could solve mystery of women in medieval cemetery 18 hours ago Save Rebecca Morelle , Science Editor and Alison Francis , Senior Science Journalist Save Kevin Church/BBC News These tiny beads could have been stitched onto clothing or attached to jewellery Intriguing new discoveries in a medieval cemetery in Wales have brought archaeologists closer to solving the mystery surrounding the women buried there. Theyve found what appears to be a small building and have unearthed domestic and decorative artefacts, including exquisite coloured glass beads. (wild, right?)

So far 58 skeletons, dating to the 6th or 7th Century, have been uncovered at the site.

The Details

Whats unusual is that nearly all belonged to women. The new finds add to growing evidence that the burial ground was part of an early female religious community.

Kevin Church/BBC News The 1,500-year-old skeletons are intact and well preserved For the last four years, archaeologists have been excavating the site in the grounds of Fonmon Castle, close to the end of the runway at Cardiff airport. The skeletons are buried in shallow graves cut into the limestone bedrock.

Why This Matters

While their bones and teeth show they lived hard lives, objects found amongst the graves suggest wealth and luxury. The team have been scratching their heads trying to work out who these women were. Now the latest dig has provided a major clue: the outline of what could possibly be a small building.

This could have implications for future research in this area.

Key Takeaways

• “Its producing fragments of building stone, so it might be structural.
• We might be thinking of a small shrine or a chapel,” says Dr Andy Seaman, from Cardiff University, who is leading the dig.
• “I do think that we have a site which may be an early religious community.

The Bottom Line

” Kevin Church/BBC News Graves are clustered around the possible building, which is highlighted in pink The potential building is located in the centre of the cemetery and graves are clustered around it. It seems that people wanted to be buried as close to this feature as possible.

What’s your take on this whole situation?