Medieval cemetery unearthed near castle - but graves leave experts baffled

07 January 2024 , 09:28

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For two summers, a team has been carefully removing topsoil to expose graves carved into the bedrock (Image: University of Cardiff)

Archaeologists are baffled after making an unusual discovery in a rare early mediaeval Welsh cemetery.

The graves at the cemetery, which have been unearthed at Fonmon Castle, are thought to be between 1,400 and 1,500 years old, but their contents have left archaeologists scratching their heads.

Almost 20 of the estimated 70 graves have been excavated at the site so far, which is located at the end of the runway at Cardiff airport. A team of archaeologists has spent the past two summers painstakingly uncovering the burial sites, removing soil from the graves, which were carved into the bedrock by ancient hands.

The positioning of some of the human remains in these graves has caused a stir amid the diggers - while some are laid on their backs, many others were buried on their sides or even upright in a crouched position.

Finding corpses buried this way, with their knees tucked up to their chins, is rare but not unheard of, Dr Andy Seaman, Lecturer in Early Medieval Archaeology, said. “This is a really exciting discovery. Sites of this date are extremely rare in Wales and often do not preserve bone and artefacts,” he explained.

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“The Fonmon cemetery will allow us to discover so much about the people who lived here around 1,400 years ago. Other similar sites have found bodies in crouched positions such as this, but considering the number of graves we have looked at so far, there seem to be a high proportion. This could be evidence of some sort of burial rite being carried out.”

The cemetery is believed to date back at least 1,400 and possibly 1,500 years (University of Cardiff)

He added: “There is nothing to suggest that people were living near the site, so the evidence of cooking and glasses certainly suggests some level of ritual feasting, perhaps to celebrate or mourn the dead.”

A number of new archaeological sites were revealed by geophysical surveys in the area in 2021, and that's what the team were investigating. What they initially assumed would be an ancient farm, turned out to be a burial site with graves dating to the sixth and seventh centuries. The team’s work is one of a number of Cardiff University projects which feature in an episode of BBC programme Digging for Britain.

Nigel Ford, who purchased Fonmon Castle in 2019 said: “I am thrilled by this incredible discovery and find it fascinating. I can’t wait to find out more about the people who used to live at Fonmon and believe that we can learn valuable lessons from the past.”

So far 18 of the estimated 70 graves having been excavated (University of Cardiff)

Cardiff University Archaeology student Jessica Morgan said: “I’ve worked at Fonmon for the last two summers, and it has been a fantastic experience. My time here has given me the valuable skills I need for a career in archaeology, expanded my knowledge about early mediaeval archaeology, and brought me closer to my Welsh heritage.

“It is such an important and fascinating site, and I can’t wait for us to continue telling its story.”

Fonmon Castle was built as a defensive keep and administration centre in about 1180. It was originally owned by the St John family, who were descended from Norman knights. Since then it has had a colourful and varied history, opening as a visitor attraction to the public after the pandemic.

Joe Smith