#swinegate

This man was over 46 years old when he died and was buried in an oak coffin in the burial ground of St Benet's church, York. Only the upper part of his body was recovered but he was originally 5ft 6in (1.71m) tall. His facial characteristics suggest he was of African or mixed ancestry, but he was probably born in the British Isles. As he was buried in a coffin he was clearly a man of some status. We do not know what he died from, but he was in general good health.

A moody #evening #sky over #Leeds #city centre. Here on #Swinegate is #Bibis #Italian #Restaurant, the #railway #viaduct, the former #music #venue #TheCockpit, and illuminated #arches leading to #TrinityLeeds #carpark. #skyporn #clouds #IgersLeeds #LeedsPhoto #art #culture #travel #tourism #tourist #leisure #life #architecture #VisitLeeds (at Leeds) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoIHATTBc-R/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=e2nmikbwnnpr

The female skeleton was found as part of a larger excavation in the Swinegate area of York by York Archaeological Trust (YAT) which took place in late 1989 and early 1990.  The dig explored the churchyard of the lost church of St Benet, which stood on the site from around the 8th to the early 14thcentury.  Over 100 burials were discovered at the site, several of which date from the period of York’s Viking occupation, between AD 866 and AD 1066.  The skeleton on display is thought to date from the late Viking period, possibly a woman who was alive during the reign of King Canute, who took the English throne 999 years ago in 1016.  What makes the Swinegate finds unusual is that many of the timber coffins in which the bodies were buried remain largely intact. Read more.

@natalieelkh leaving meal with @hamilleve @johnny.cacdac and Friends at the #slugandlettuce #swinegate #york. The blue steak sandwich was amazing. Portion of a whole steak! #leavingdo #cocktails #food #slugandlettuceswinegate (at The Slug and Lettuce - York Swinegate)

More information and analysis on the fascinating "20,000 dead pigs in a river" episode from Shanghai.