Gainsborough's medieval skeletons reburied

Twenty medieval skeletons uncovered in a Lincolnshire town centre have been reburied.

The remains of 17 adults and three youngsters were found by workers carrying out paving improvements in Gainsborough last summer.

Archaeologists said the bones were probably from a Christian graveyard known to have been in the area in the 12th Century.

They were buried at Gainsborough General Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon.

Local funeral directors Cliff Bradley and Sons have agreed to inter the remains free of charge, said West Lindsey District Council.

The skeletons were discovered buried about a metre underground in the Bridge Street and Silver Street areas.

Medieval chapels

Colin Palmer-Brown, from Saxilby-based Pre-Construct Archaeological Services Ltd, was among experts who examined the bones.

He said: "The reason why the bodies were situated at this location is because there were two medieval chapels located in this part of the town.

"We do not as yet know the precise location of either, as the information comes from documentary sources.

"However, provided that we continue to monitor all below-ground developments in this area of the town, it is only a matter of time before the actual sites of the chapels are found."

Small quantities of pottery recovered from the site helped archaeologists to date the skeletons.

A full report on the findings is being compiled and will be made available online, said the local authority.