Archaeologists have made a discovery in Cambridgeshire Roman era cemetery Including a unique burial consisting of liquid gypsum. The central grave is believed to be that of a high-reputed individual, who was found encased in a stone coffin with gypsum cast around the body. This practice, although documented in Roman times, is still poorly understood. The gypsum, which often preserved organic materials such as burial shrouds, revealed fabric impressions from the individual’s clothing, providing rare insight into Roman burial customs.
Gypsum burial and surrounding graves
According to headland archaeology, this burial type, usually associated with Roman urban centres, is an unusual find in rural locations. The gypsum used was quarried and transported from a quarry approximately 50 kilometers away, indicating significant expense and effort, indicative of the elite status of the deceased. Jessica Lowther, community archaeologist at Headland Archaeology, said in a statement. biology Such a process would have been costly, underscoring the primacy of the individual.
The cemetery, discovered during pre-construction excavations for the highway expansion, contained 14 graves around a central gypsum burial, seven more were found across a boundary ditch. Burial types vary widely, including cyst burial, cremation, decapitation, and graves with wooden coffins marked with iron nails.
serious stuff and insight
Major grave goods including jewelery and personal items were recovered. A grave to the south-west of the central burial contained the remains of a young woman wearing silver earrings, copper alloy bracelets and rings. Lowther speculates in an email to Live Science that these items may represent dowry. Another grave beyond the boundary ditch contained a child who had a collection of bracelets and earrings of similar design.
Researchers are planning further analysis of the site to understand its historical significance and the lives of the people buried there. It is hoped that the study will shed light on the period of use of the cemetery and its role in the wider Roman landscape.
