Watching brief by D. Andrews at Church of St Barnabas, Alphamstone, 1988 - EEX63152

Human bones were found when a brick drainage channel along the north wall of the nave was removed and the level reduced. The wall, apparently of mortared flint but now rendered, seems to have been built on a foundation of sandy clay with gravel laid in a trench. The neatly stacked bones formed part of this foundation. Many individuals were represented. Presumably this was charnel from graves disturbed when the church was built. No doubt this was regarded as a place of particular sanctity for their reinterment. The nave wall is thought to be 12th century. The presence of this charnel indicates that this was not the first church on the site, but as a Roman building is thought to lie partially within the churchyard, this is not entirely surprising.