Latest news
An innovative project combining data from three separate developer funded excavations in post-medieval burial grounds has enabled us to look at the link between religious beliefs, social behaviour and health. The Catholic Mission of St Mary and St Michael, Whitechapel was in use for just 11 years (1843-1854) and evidence suggests a population chiefly of Irish descent. Almost 40% of the men had notches in their teeth caused by pipe smoking, a much higher proportion than seen before. The pipe smokers were less healthy and had died younger than those who did not smoke. Read more here.
Recent MOLA publications from the osteology team:
Dyson, T, Samuel, M, Steele, A and Wright,S, M, 2011, The Cluniac priory and abbey of St Saviour Bermondsey, Surrey: excavations 1984–95
Bull, R, Davis, S, Lewis, H and Phillpotts, C with Birchenough,A, 2011, Holywell Priory and the development of Shoreditch to c 1600: archaeology from the London Overground East London Line
Connell, B and Miles, A, 2010, The City Bunhill burial ground, Golden Lane, London: excavations at South Islington schools, 2006
A full catalogue of MOLA publications can be found here.
Post-medieval cemeteries excavated and studied by MOLA since 2000Ongoing commercial projects
Analysis of remains from Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel
Excavations to the rear of the anatomy school (c 1820-1845) found graves containing articulated burials and dissected body portions. Wired and stained specimens and wax casts of blood vessels and nerves were also found. An unhealed fracture hints at the hospitals function as an accident and emergency centre.
Research and outreach
Our research partners include Birmingham University, the University of Bradford, Durham University and City University.
Mitchell PD, Boston C, Chamberlain AT, Chaplin S, Chauhan V, Evans J, Fowler L, Powers N, Walker D, Webb H and Witkin A, 2011, The study of anatomy in England from 1700 to the early 20th century, J Anat, Vol. 219: 2, 91-99
Collard, D, Morris, J, Mulder, G and Perego, E. (eds), 2010, Food and Drink in Archaeology 3. Totnes. Prospect Books
Serjeantson, D and Morris, J, 2011, Ravens and crows in Iron Age and Roman Britain, Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 30.1, 85-107
Powers N, Henderson M, Walker D and Bland P, 2010, Seeing inside the past, Synergy, 10-13
