Extensive archaeological excavation at the University of Gloucestershire’s new City Campus site has revealed over 300 skeletons, a Roman villa, and the previously unknown St Aldate’s Church with burial vaults, shedding light on Gloucester’s history from the 2nd century AD through to the post-medieval period.
Archaeologists have uncovered significant historical remains beneath a site currently being developed by the University of Gloucestershire, revealing details about the area’s Roman and medieval past. The discovery came to light during the university’s 2021 project to expand its campus by purchasing and redeveloping the former Debenhams building in Gloucester.
The excavation, undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology, revealed over 300 skeletons along with fragments of an old church, leading to a temporary halt in the regeneration work to allow for thorough archaeological investigation. According to a recent update shared by Cotswold Archaeology and the University of Gloucestershire, the findings include remains dating as far back as the 2nd century AD, such as a Roman villa associated with the ancient settlement known as Colonia Glevum.
The site later served as the location of the previously unknown St Aldate’s Church, built during the medieval period. The church once featured several burial vaults and an extensive graveyard. The archaeological team uncovered 150 post-medieval burials in the church courtyard, with further excavation revealing an additional 170 earlier burials beneath these layers. In total, 317 skeletons and 83 brick burial vaults were excavated from the site.
Beyond uncovering physical remains, the excavations have also provided insights into historical lifestyle and dietary changes in Gloucester’s population over approximately a millennium. Cliff Bateman, Senior Project Officer at Cotswold Archaeology, told LADbible, “As this was an urban church, the story it will tell about the health of Gloucester’s population over a period of around 1,000 years will be most interesting. For example, on a very basic level the impact of increased sugar in the diet during the 16th century was visibly clear in terms of dental health.”
The St Aldate’s Church itself was demolished in the mid-1650s. Steve Sheldon of Cotswold Archaeology explained that after the English Civil War, materials from the church were repurposed for use in other parish churches.
Despite the archaeological significance of the site, the University of Gloucestershire has confirmed its commitment to continuing the redevelopment project as part of its new City Campus. The university also plans to showcase the discovered objects within the building once construction is complete. Sheldon noted, “These objects have been retained on site, following archaeological recording, and will be displayed on site for students, staff and visitors to City Campus to appreciate once the site is fully operational.”
This discovery offers a unique window into the historical layers beneath a modern urban development, highlighting Gloucester’s long-standing historical importance from Roman times through to the post-medieval period.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
The discovery was made during a 2021 project, suggesting that while the information might not be brand new, it remains relatively relevant due to ongoing updates and its timelessness in historical context.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Cliff Bateman and Steve Sheldon are included, but without specific verification of being used in earlier publications. Given their role in the project, it’s plausible they are original sources.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
While the narrative does not originate from a major established publication like BBC or Reuters, it references well-known organizations involved in the archaeological work, lending some credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims are plausible given the historical context and are supported by archaeological practices and the roles of the individuals involved.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is strong on plausibility due to its historical context and the involvement of credible organizations. However, it’s somewhat dated due to the timing of the discovery. The originality of quotes adds credibility. Overall, the narrative is factual and well-supported.
