Roman Burials at London Street, Godmanchester

Following the discovery of human bones during development in London Street, emergency excavations revealed 13 human skeletons, other miscellaneous bones, 2 ditches, 2 pits, several unexcavated features and large quantities of unabraded Roman pottery.

The burials were strikingly regular; each one was equally spaced in rows, buried in quite deeply cut graves and oriented west-east. Three of the bodies had originally lain in nailed coffins.

Interesting pathological data derived from studying these bones include indications of leprosy, dental problems, arthritis and child-birth trauma.

The only artefact noted as possibly being a grave-good was one coin, but a bronze bangle and iron knife which occurred as stray finds probably accompanied the burials originally.

Many other features were noted in house-foundations, but were not examined further.

The indications are, therefore, that at different times during the Roman period this site, lying as it did on a major road leading to the town, was used both for settlement and as a cemetery.