Archaeologists have uncovered the human remains of hundreds of bodies at a medieval friary in Haverfordwest. The grim discovery was made by Dyfed Archaeological Trust who unearthed the bone remnants on the former site of department store, Ocky White, in the centre of the Welsh town.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that prehistorians had found the remains of 17 people but were anticipating to locate ''many more'' in their search, Wales Online reports. They have now confirmed they have discovered over 240 humans including children, many of which indicate telling signs of brutal deaths on their bodies.
It's been suggested that the ''highly significant discovery'' of the bodies could be connected to a historical attack in the 15th century carried out by French and Welsh forces commanded by leader, Owain Glyndwr. It is well known that the town was besieged by the rebel leader's forces in 1405.
Members of the trust suspect that the site is linked with the second location of the medieval friary of St Saviours, which, up to this point, had not been discovered by archaeologists. St Saviours friary was home to eight extremely wealthy blackfriars, who generated their wealth through gifts from landowners, lords and royalty.
These friars made it their mission to preach and tend to the poor and sick. The building, which dates back to 1258, was destroyed in 1538 by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries.
Hundreds of years later, the site was home to the Ocky White department store, which was popular with shoppers for more than a century. The premises shut down in 2013. Pembrokeshire County Council is spending £6.3m on redeveloping the Western Quayside site - which will see the old Ocky White department store developed into "an attractive and vibrant local produce destination and marketplace".
Of the medieval friary that also once occupied the same location, Dyfed Archaeological Trust's site manager Andrew Shobbrook told the BBC: "It's quite a prestigious place to be buried. You have a range of people, from the wealthy to general townsfolk."
It has been theorised that the burial site could have been used until the start of the 18th century. Approximately half of the remains are those of children, which is said to be consistent with their high mortality rate during this period.
All the bones will be the subject of a specialist analysis before being buried again on nearby consecrated ground. Head injuries were detected among some of the remains, leading experts to believe they could've been involved in battle with wounds perhaps caused by arrows or musket balls, Mr Shobbrook suggests.
The remains and other unearthed items such as tiles are being stored at a nearby disused shop after being cleaned and dried. The site is being redeveloped to become a food emporium, bar and rooftop terrace.
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