Black death descending on Bournemouth? - first draft

The skeletal remains of thousands of plague victims are to undergo analysis by Bournemouth University’s school of conservation sciences under a new agreement with the crypt where the bones are housed.

The ossuary, which contains over 8,000 skeletons that are believed to be victims of Black Death, are currently stacked floor to ceiling in the cramped 30ft long crypt at St Leonard’s parish church in Hythe, Kent. It is considered by experts to be a unique collection of immeasurable research value, but there remain large gaps in scientists’ understanding of their history and provenance.

“The last cataloguing of the bones took place over seventy years ago, so they are yet to be analysed using modern technology,” said church archivist and curator John Roffy. “With DNA testing, radio isotope and X-ray scans we would hope to identify each and every one of the skulls from a historical perspective.”

This research would end the speculation that surrounds the story of the skulls. Black Death, or bubonic plague, arrived on British shores in 1348, although some date the remains well before this. “Visitors to the crypt are told that these were the victims of a 10th century Viking battle. They are more likely to be medieval, but there is only one way to find out,” said Ian Hansen, a forensic archaeology lecturer at Bournemouth University’s school of conservation sciences.

Hansen is part of the team that is planning to submit their research proposal to English Heritage for approval. The conservation school, which already houses a collection of several hundred human and animal bones, will be able to determine the best means of preserving the St Leonard’s set. “The first step is setting up equipment to measure the climatic conditions of the crypt, which seems very damp,” said Hansen.

With a plan of action now being drawn up, the possibility of bringing a selection of these morbid relics to the University is very much on the table. “In order to preserve them, they will have to be moved,” said Hansen, who envisages an arrangement whereby the school conducts research on a selection of the bones whilst they are not on public display in St Leonard’s.

The bones are open to the public over the summer months - admission is charged at the princely rate of 50p per adult, 10p per child. But these precious artefacts must be transported with great care, according to osteologist and senior lecturer in anthropology Linda O’Connell.

“Analysing these bones is a fantastic idea but it must be done professionally, ethically, and with the appropriate scientific support.” But Roffy, who also runs a business transporting museum pieces, is confident that he can provide safe conditions for moving the bones. “We are looking forward to developing a very healthy working relationship with Bournemouth University,” he said.

Although long overdue a scientific examination, the ossuary has had its fair share of media attention over recent years. Heritage programs such as Simon Schama’s History of Britain and BBC4’s Inside the Medieval Mind (to be aired next spring) have both filmed inside the crypt, as well as action puzzle show Treasure Hunt, presented by The Telegraph’s motoring columnist Suzi Perry.

“We had helicopters circling overhead and the final clue was hidden behind one of the skulls,” recalled Roffy – although Hansen and his team will be hoping to unveil further historical clues from these haunting relics.