Over 3,000 Skeletons Excavated in London
The remains of a former mayor of London as well as those of political activists could be unearthed when the excavation of a burial ground takes place.
Bedlam burial ground was established in 1569 to help parishes cope with overcrowding during outbreaks of plague and other epidemics. The excavation is part of the Crossrail project which has identified thousands of victims buried at the burial ground under Liverpool Street station in east London.
People known to have been buried at the site include Sir Ambrose Nicholas, who was lord mayor of London in 1575.
Others identified as being buried there include Dr John Lamb, an astrologer and advisor to the First Duke of Buckingham. Dr Lamb was said to have been stoned to death by an angry mob outside a theatre in 1628 following allegations of rape and black magic.
Others identified in the research, carried out by 16 volunteers and covering burials in the 16th and 17th Centuries, include victims of riots by "Fanatiques", as they were noted in the diaries of Samuel Pepys in January 1661.
Work to excavate 3,000 skeletons starts in March.
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Jay Carver, Lead archaeologist said, "These people lived through civil wars, the Restoration, Shakespeare's plays, the birth of modern industry, plague and the Great Fire”
The archaeological excavations at Liverpool Street are being undertaken by Museum of London Archaeology on behalf of Crossrail. The upcoming dig is also expected to uncover medieval and Roman artefacts, and help piece together centuries of history which will then be exhibited at the Museum of London.
After excavation, the skeletons will be reburied on consecrated ground.
To date, Crossrail, which will be fully opened in 2019, has found more than 10,000 artefacts from London's long history across more than 40 construction sites.
