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Abstract

Bones belonging to up to 2,000 people found next to a Finsbury school date as far back as the 16th century, archaeologists have revealed.

Experts from the Museum of London Archaeology have been examining the remains, which were discovered near Moreland Primary School, in Goswell Road, in January.

The bones were discovered by construction workers at a site where 140 homes are being built as part of the King Square estate development.

It has since been discovered that the site was a charnel pit, where bones were reburied after having being moved from other places.

Croydon-based exhumation specialists Rowland Brothers carried out the excavation under the watchful eye of archaeologists.

Islington Council has said it will rebury the bones at a plot at St Pancras and Islington Cemetery, in East Finchley.

Museum experts say three human skull fragments displayed injuries, including one probably inflicted by a weapon.

Another showed evidence of trepanation, where a hole is made in the skull with a knife or drill to relieve swelling or remove bone splinters following injury.

There was no bone regrowth around the hole and the adult man died shortly afterwards, the archaeologists found.

Council environment chief Claudia Webbe said: “We want to make sure these historical bones are given a dignified reburial, so we have created a dedicated place at Islington Cemetery where they will be laid to rest with a memorial plaque.

“We intend that this memorial site will also become the final resting place for other historical bones found in Islington.”