Medieval inhumations at St Osyths Priory, St Osyth (EHER 80543)

Ten inhumations of individuals likely represent monks and/or laity from the Priory, due to the location, grave orientation and seemingly simple graves.

June to July 2022. Watching brief. Archaeological monitoring revealed ten probable inhumations, although only eight could be assessed. These individuals likely represent monks and/or laity from the Priory, due to the location, grave orientation and seemingly simple graves. These remains may also be a section of the graveyard attached to the former abbey church to the east, which was demolished by Sir Thomas Darcy sometime after 1553. No grave goods or finds were recovered from the burials, so a specific date cannot be determined. Nevertheless, they represent Christian burials due to the east-west orientation, with the head at the west end. Most interesting is the inclusion of a stone in the mouth of SK1029. If intentionally placed there, it may be evidence that the individual was physically impaired due to an illness or condition and used to prevent the deceased from “rising again” due to an infectious disease, or even to prevent ‘back-biting’ at the Resurrection. Other sites similar to St Osyth where stones have been found in the mouths of individuals have not come to a definitive conclusion as to why they were placed there. <1>