The bones of men, women, and children were unearthed on land at the old Cardigan Memorial Hospital site in Ceredigion as workers were developing the area into housing
Dozens of bodies have been discovered at the site of an old hospital in Wales being redeveloped by workers into homes.
The bones of men, women, and children were unearthed on land at the old Cardigan Memorial Hospital site in Ceredigion.
The hospital closed in 2019 and the land is now being developed by Wales and West Housing Association (WWHA).
An archaeological report made for WHHA said that archaeologists had found a total of 38 “skeletons or partial skeletons” which had been excavated from the ground.
The bones are described as being in a “poor condition” and are believed to date back to the 12th century, Wales Online reports.
Five graves were found to contain the remains of coffins.
The report states the hospital site used to be occupied by a Priory Church and it is thought the bones could be dated back to when this was established.
The burials were all orientated east to west which, the report said, was typical of post-Roman Christian burials.
The graves could represent “a pauper’s cemetery on the north side of the church,” the archaeologists said.
It was also said the graves could be “overspill” from the main cemetery.
The bones were described in the report as “the most significant archaeological features” found during the excavation. Further analysis will be undertaken on the skeletons during the post-excavation phase.
Cardigan Hospital closed in 2019 and was acquired by WWHA which has plans to redevelop the site into 20 flats, a community space, and an office.
At a meeting of the town council in May WWHA said the works were expected to get under way in June.
