Photo credit: Northumberland Coast National Landscape
Human remains discovered on Lindisfarne in 2022 have been identified as disturbed burials that may have belonged to a long-lost early medieval chapel and cemetery.
The excavation of a trench in the Green Lane overflow car park on Lindisfarne in September focused on human remains first discovered there in 2022. This latest archaeological dig was jointly funded by the Northumberland Coast National Landscape and archaeological social enterprise DigVentures.
Over a dozen volunteers – from the National Landscape’s Conservation Team and those living on Holy Island – took part in the week-long dig, which represents just one aspect of recent excavations on the island. Lindisfarne’s early medieval monastery has been the focus of extensive research excavation by DigVentures and Durham University over the past nine years, with 2025 to be its final year.
The remains in question were initially discovered during an archaeological watching brief instigated as part of the planning process during the construction of a new coastguard building back in 2022. At this stage, the bones, which are thought to belong to at least seven individuals, were recorded and sampled in situ. They have now been recovered and sent for scientific analysis, which will reveal more information about the health, age and sex of these people.
Radiocarbon dating carried out after the bones were first found indicates that the individuals died at some point in the eighth to ninth centuries. The wider research excavation is revealing that the religious settlement was thriving at this time, and later, medieval records mention a cemetery or chapel of St Columba that formed part of the wider site and has thought to have been located to the north of the village. The disarticulated bones discovered in 2022 may be charnel (the disturbed remains of a cemetery) that were reburied after the cemetery was disturbed.
David Petts, Associate Professor of Archaeology at Durham University, explained how the trench in Green Lane adds to this picture: “This trench has helped us understand the wider plan and extent of the early medieval monastery – in particular it has confirmed that activity of this date seems to spread across the entire village.”
A wealth of finds from the other trenches in Sanctuary Close, adjacent to the Priory, have been uncovered, both in September and throughout the nine-year research project. These range from small objects like coins, hairpins, combs, and rings, to larger carvings and other stonework with this year’s excavation uncovering two more runic ‘name stones’ commemorating individuals. The remains of an early medieval smithy were also uncovered during this year’s excavations, with evidence of a workshop, furnaces, and metal.
The Northumberland Coast National Landscape Conservation Team volunteers and Holy Island residents involved had a fantastic time working on the dig in September. Tracy Ward, whose mother has lived on the island for 45 years, shared her feedback.
Tracy said: “As a newcomer to archeology, I can't thank the Northumberland Coast National Landscape and DigVentures enough for the opportunity to join them this year on this iconic Lindisfarne dig. On the very first day I was in a new trench getting hands-on experience under the watchful eye of Harriet and Sarah.
“The finding of old human remains was an exciting but humble experience. It is only whilst digging round the skulls, teeth and bones with great care, treating them with the respect they deserve (after all they were human beings) that you start to think deeply about them and you wish to know more of their story, their age, diet, sex, how did they die? How long have they been here? Why are they here? A multitude of questions which hopefully modern technology can answer, after which all human remains will be reburied as close to where they were found as possible. A fascinating experience that I will remember always and sincerely hope future digs continue.”
The Northumberland Coast National Landscape is currently in talks with DigVentures to plan out our involvement in the 2025 dig. We hope to return to the Green Lane site to try and find the extent of the burial site. We will keep you posted with updates!
For more information about DigVentures’ and Durham University’s work at Lindisfarne, see Digventures.com/projects/lindisfarne.
