Skeletons and Roman artefacts found by Worcester Cathedral

Excavations in the College Yard area on the north side of the cathedral have uncovered an insight into the city's history after a number of items were found during an archaeological dig. 

Among the items were many Roman artefacts, which included a cobbled surface near the North Porch, more than one type of quern stone for grinding flour, the neck of a blue glass perfume bottle, and a decorative stamp made from a sheep bone.

A Roman cobbled surface found near the North Porch. (Image: Worcester Cathedral)The cobbles also contained broken pottery, which is thought to have been out of use by the 4th Century AD, as it was covered over by mud containing a coin of this date.

Landscapers said the find has provided a rare glimpse of Roman Worcester.

The College Yard area also served as the city's burial ground for around 750 years until the 19th Century, and archaeologists discovered a small number of pre-Victorian skeletons.

WOW: A decorative stamp made from a sheep bone. (Image: Worcester Cathedral) Each skeleton has been taken to be analysed before being sensitively re-interred in the cathedral’s charnel crypt.

The dig took place before the cathedral started work to improve College Yard and make it a more accessible, welcoming green space between the cathedral and the rest of the city.

Worcester Cathedral’s archaeologist, Fiona Keith-Lucas, said: “We found some fantastic things during enabling archaeology work. 

Archaeologists said they found fantastic things. (Image: Worcester Cathedral) "All artefacts are yet to be analysed, but we are getting a good feel for the site and its complexity. We hope to share our findings more at a symposium in the summer of 2025.”

Fitzgerald Contractors Ltd has been appointed to start work onsite today (Monday), but archaeologists will work alongside them if anything else is found. 

An illustration highlighting what the landscaping project will look like once it's completed. (Image: Worcester Cathedral) Most of the medieval archaeology discovered relates to the burial ground, but the team did also encounter structural remains, including an original Norman buttress that was cut back shortly before 1335 to construct the Sacrist’s lodging.

A buttress is a part of a building that tends to hug its corners. 

The Sacrist looked after the cathedral and its contents – from walls and roof to sacred vessels and vestments.

The team also found the buried walls of the Sacrists’ lodging (demolished sometime between 1712 and 15), with a wealth of medieval painted glass in the demolition material.

Worcester Cathedral received a £200,000 grant for its landscaping project in February.