A century-old cemetery near a modern airfield has yielded secrets of a medieval community, with researchers uncovering the surprising lives of women who lived and worked in the area.
The discovery of a medieval cemetery near Cardiff Airport has been shrouded in mystery, with new findings continuing to confound archaeologists. The site, dating back to the 6th or 7th Century, was announced last year, revealing dozens of skeletons found in unusual positions with unexpected artefacts.
A Community of Women
Researchers have made a surprising discovery: nearly all of the skeletons buried in the cemetery are women. Their bones show signs of wear and tear, indicating they carried out heavy manual work, but also display surprising signs of wealth and luxury. The contrast between these two groups is striking, with one ‘woman being found in a ditch, starkly different from the others who were buried with great care.’
Women have played a significant role in human society for centuries, with their contributions extending beyond domestic duties to include politics, science, and the arts.
In ancient civilizations such as Greece and Rome, women held positions of power and influence.
During the Industrial Revolution, women entered the workforce in large numbers, contributing to economic growth.
Today, women hold prominent positions in business, government, and education, with many countries having female heads of state or government.
The skeletons of two children have also been found, which is a surprisingly small number given the high infant mortality rate of the time. Their burials have intriguing features, including earth that has been used to backfill the grave looking slightly different to that in the adults’ graves. This suggests that there may have been some time elapsed between the burial of the adults and the burial of these two children.
A Community of Significance
Artefacts at the site are adding to the puzzle of who these people were. Shards of pottery and fine, etched glass found in the graves were most likely brought to the cemetery by people feasting while they visited the dead. The presence of these items suggests that this was no ordinary community.
Each person buried in the cemetery has been laid flat or crouching, facing east to west. The team is particularly interested in the skeletons’ teeth, which provide a unique record of their diet from weaning right through to death. The results show that the people buried in the cemetery didn’t all come from the immediate area – they came from all over Wales and possibly from the south-west of England too.
A Story Yet to be Told
The dig is continuing this summer, with archaeologists hoping to uncover the other half of the cemetery and tell the story of the individuals within it. ‘Dr Andy Seaman’ , leading the project, hopes to answer the questions the site has thrown up and explore the broader community.
Despite the many contradictions that remain unsolved, the discovery of this medieval cemetery is a significant one, offering a glimpse into the lives of everyday people in medieval Wales. As researchers continue to uncover its secrets, we may finally begin to understand the story of this enigmatic community.
Medieval Wales was a time of great change and transformation.
The country was divided into several smaller kingdoms, each with its own ruler.
The most powerful kingdom was Gwynedd in the north, while Deheubarth dominated the south.
This period saw the rise of castles as fortifications against invaders, with iconic structures like Caernarfon Castle still standing today.
Medieval Wales also produced famous poets and writers, such as 'Dafydd ap Gwilym' , who celebrated the country's natural beauty in their works.
