Probably post-medieval inhumation and redeposited human remains, in the churchyard at St Lawrence Newlands Church (EHER 82299)

A series of watching briefs in 2015 recorded a considerable quantity of human remains at the south side of the church. Two phases of burial were noted, at 450mm and 750mm depths, and the lower level was interpreted as 'in situ' whilst the upper level was interpreted as having been redeposited. No dating evidence was recovered but the remains were interpreted as probably belonging to the post-medieval period.

September-October 2015. Watching brief. A series of watching briefs during the groundworks for an extension to the church encountered a considerable quantity of human remains at the south side of the church. At the west end of Trench 1, a gravestone was encountered at a depth of 400mm, which was in line with the modern graves. Beneath was a layer of limestone or lime mortar and beneath this was a skeleton on an east-west orientation. The archaeologist was not present when the skeleton was removed. Elsewhere in the Trench 1 and in Trench 2, human remains were encountered though the orientation of many of the burials was not able to be discerned, and for those that were there appeared to be mixed orientation. There were 18 skulls in total and the archaeologist noted some of these may have been the appropriate size to belong to children. It was noted that some coffin handles and nails were present throughout but there was no evidence of grave goods, so it is probable the burials were unrecorded post-medieval. The archaeologist noted there appeared to be two levels of burial, at 450mm and 750mm depths. The lower level was interpreted as 'in situ' but the upper level appeared to be disturbed, and was possibly the result of redeposition. It was noted that the 18 skulls were encountered at 'random' positions within an area of just 16sqm, which was interpreted as further evidence of this redeposition. The human remains were collected and left in the care of the church warden for reburial. <1>