British archaeologists in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, have unearthed the remains of 17 skeletons they believe belonged to the monastery of the Holy Savior before the Reformed King Henry VIII confiscated their property. These release reports Life Science.
“Fraary existed from the mid-1200s until it collapsed in 1536-1541,” Fran Murphy, president of the Dyfed Archaeological Trust, the organization behind the excavations, told Live Science. In the last years of the abbey’s existence, King Henry VIII of England and Wales ordered many church properties to be confiscated and sold. This happened after he broke off ties with the Catholic Church. The monastery of the Holy Savior in the Middle Ages, where Dominican monks lived, was no exception in this sense, the “black monks” distinguished by the black color of their clothes. According to Murphy, the crown sold all of its possessions, but some, especially the cemetery, which belonged to the abbey, remained untouched until the 17th century.
“We are not sure whether these remains belong to monks, as various people are often buried in monastic cemeteries,” Murphy said. He noted that excavations are continuing and a detailed osteological study of the skeletons has not yet been carried out. “There is nothing superfluous in tombs,” Murphy said, noting that this is consistent with the Christian traditions of medieval Europeans: “Nothing can be taken with you to the afterlife.” There were only shrouds on the burials, and the arms of all the skeletons were crossed on the chest.
During the Middle Ages (approximately 500 to 1500 AD), monasteries were popular burial places. Initially, monastic cemeteries were intended only for the monks themselves, but they quickly became popular places for burial of the laity. Existing excavations are taking place in front of major construction in the area, with plans to build a three-story grocery store with a bar and a roof terrace in the area.
Source: Gazeta
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