Post-Medieval Burial in Bethnal Green, East London
AOC Archaeology Group has just completed a complex and large-scale six-month excavation at St. John’s School, Peel Grove, Bethnal Green, London. The site was formerly a privately owned, unconsecrated burial ground that was in use between 1840 and 1855. Despite the relatively short lifespan of the cemetery, some 20,000 burials were interred over the original 7.5 acre site. Burials were interred in vertically stacked graveshafts, the majority of which were single-width. More unusual graveshafts contained up to 20 adjacent burials placed in a layer. Some of the graveshafts were extremely deep, measuring up to 7.5m deep. One thousand and sixty burials have been excavated with more juveniles than adults present. Post-excavation assessment of the human remains and finds is underway and the collection represents a significant assemblage to enable the reconstruction of health and life in post-medieval London.
Figure 1: Well-preserved, multiple juvenile coffins.
One of the most significant finds from the excavation was the recovery of 21 wooden grave-markers found in a clearance deposit within a brick vault. The majority have lettering commemorating a burial, although it is unclear where they were originally located on site. Initial indications are that these grave-markers are an extremely rare find from post-medieval London contexts. The water-logged conditions on site aided excellent preservation of the wooden grave-markers as well as coffin furniture, which will allow exploration of the styles and manufacture of funerary furniture from the parish.
Figure 2: Wooden grave-marker found on site.
The project was managed by CB Swift on behalf of St John’s Church of England Primary School. Ian Hogg and Rachel Ives supervised the excavation for AOC.
