Friday 15th April 2011

Interesting finds at Liverpool Street

The construction of Crossrail through the heart of London will result in one of the most extensive archaeological programmes ever undertaken in the UK. 

Crossrail’s contractors from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) are currently investigating a site at Liverpool Street where a Crossrail ticket hall is to be built.

The site in question used to be a burial ground for the psychiatric hospital St. Bethlehem otherwise known as ‘Bedlam’. The burial ground was used from 1569 to the mid 19th century for Bedlam’s patients and local residents when other burial grounds became overcrowded.

Archaeology digs are currently taking place on the site and are unveiling some very exciting finds including well preserved burials, many of which are just 1.5 metres below street level. Eighty five burials have been discovered so far and we estimate finding as many as six bodies per cubic metre on the site. Further excavation pits will unveil whether the remains in the rest of the site are in a similar condition to the ones already uncovered.

Archaeologists have also uncovered pottery fragments, clay pipes, animal bone artefacts including knife handles and, as yet, unidentified implements.

MOLA will study the remains for insight into the daily lives of Bedlam patients and the area’s local residents at that time. Analysis of the skeletons will also provide information about diet, disease and mortality. The human remains will then be carefully reburied in a working cemetery.