Gruesome discovery uncovers thousands of bones under the medieval church

Gruesome discovery uncovers thousands of bones under the medieval church

The archaeological discovery, made during the last two years, is something of a mystery. The remains of at least 64 people, including men , women and children, have been discovered by archaeologists. However, the bones come in all shapes and sizes and have proved to be a challenge for them.

The bones were recovered gradually during restoration work in the Church of St. Nicholas in Gdansk, North Poland, between 2018 and 2020.  The Church of the 12th century,   One of the oldest churches in the area, closed in October 2018 because of structural damage and the possibility of collapse.

The same year, conservators stumbled upon the first round of bones when they worked on the west and south walls of the church. Just two years later, there were recovered even more human remains.

Archaeologist Dr Aleksandra Pudło said: “We found mostly hand bones, spine elements, forearm bones and many more.” The bones most likely belonged to men, women and children aged 20 to 70.

And among them were the remains of at least six unborn children, which suggests heavily pregnant women were laid to rest under the church.

After analysing some 2,600 bones, Dr Pudło determined the archaeologists have uncovered the remains of 64 different people.

We found mostly hand bones, spine elements, forearm bones and many more

Dr Aleksandra Pudło, archaeologist

However, the experts have been unable to date the bones due to them being disturbed during past renovations.

Artefacts found alongside the remains suggest they people were buried in the early modern period, right after the late Middle Ages.

Dr Pudło said: “Based on these bones we can estimate the height of Gdansk’s residents.

“In the Middle Ages, women measured about 160cm and men were about 10cm taller.

“In later centuries, the city began to get overcrowded, there were frequent epidemics, so living conditions were worse and, therefore, men and women were slightly smaller.

“Anthropological features also indicate the origin of the former inhabitants of Gdansk.

“People buried in the Middle Ages in St Nicholas Church came mainly from the surrounding lands, as well as from Kujawy, Greater Poland and even central Poland.

“A small influx of people from Scandinavia is also noticeable.”

After the extensive renovation efforts concluded, the church was reopened to the public last month.

On Saturday, September 5, a ceremony was held to bury some of the excavated remains.

A small wooden casket holding bones and three skulls was carried to the church’s crypts.

Prior Michał Osek said: “On September 5 we celebrate the liturgical commemoration of the deceased benefactors of the Dominican Order.”