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Skeletons in a mass grave. Source: EKH-Pictures / Adobe Stock.

Grim Discovery: Uncovering London's Plague Burial Ground (Video)

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In August 2015, an astounding discovery was made in the heart of London that sent shockwaves through the archaeological and historical communities. Researchers announced the unearthing of a mass grave dating back to the harrowing year of 1665. This grim find, containing at least 40 separate coffins, shed light on a dark chapter in the city's history—the Great Plague. The Great Plague of London, also known as the Black Death, was a devastating pandemic that ravaged the city in the 17th century, claiming the lives of an estimated 100,000 people.

The newly discovered mass grave provided tangible evidence of the scale of this tragedy, illustrating the desperate measures taken to contain the spread of the disease. Excavations at the site revealed the careful arrangement of the coffins, suggesting that these individuals were buried in a systematic manner. Each coffin was a poignant reminder of a life lost, and the collective grief experienced by a city in crisis.

Top image: Skeletons in a mass grave. Source: EKH-Pictures / Adobe Stock.

By Robbie Mitchell

 
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Robbie

I’m a graduate of History and Literature from The University of Manchester in England and a total history geek. Since a young age, I’ve been obsessed with history. The weirder the better. I spend my days working as a freelance... Read More

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