Roman inhumation burial and human remains at Weavers Cottage, Carmen Street (EHER 14926)

A complete human skeleton of a young female woman and fragments of a second human skeleton were encountered during a watching brief in 1995. The complete skeleton was oriented east-west with its head looking north and had probably been wrapped in a shroud before burial as there were no indications of an associated coffin.

1995. Watching brief. A watching brief was undertaken on the building of a driveway, garage and extension at Weavers Cottage, Carmen Street. During the construction of the driveway a complete human skeleton was found as well as fragments of a second. The complete skeleton was uncovered from just below the topsoil and found to be in good condition except for the skull, which had been badly smashed by the earth moving machine, and the pelvis, which had fragmented. The skelton was orientated east-west with the head at the western end. It was laid on its back, head looking north, arms straight, tucked in tightly against the body. This indicates the body was wrapped in a shroud before burial, as no signs of a coffin were identified. There were no signs of pathological changes on the bones. Age at death was problematic. All long bone epiphyses had fused and all adult teeth were present and little worn. The crushing of the skull meant that the extent of the cranial sutures was hard to establish. The impression, however is of a young adult female rather than an elderly one. <1> <2> Another skeleton was found previously in an extension next to Weavers Cottage (around 10 years ago). <3> Photo <4>. Slide <5>. Site Assessment: Part of a larger cemetery. See EHER 14926. See also <6>.