Our latest Crossrail archaeology book The New Churchyard is published. It reveals the results of the largest archaeological study of London’s population from the 16th to 18th centuries. Analysis of skeletons unearthed by our archaeologists during construction of the Elizabeth line station at Liverpool Street, exposes the bleak fortunes of poor and migrant communities living in London at that time.

Combining scientific techniques with historical research the results shed light on what jobs they had and where they came from, what they ate, what illnesses they suffered and what medicines they took.

The New Churchyard, sometimes known as the Bethlem or the Bedlam burial ground, was in use from 1569-1739, a period of devastating plague, fire and civil war. London boomed to become the largest city in Europe, containing nearly 10% of England’s population.

High death rates and low birth rates made large-scale immigration a necessity; people from across England flocked into the capital in early adulthood to find work, spouses, and recreation. When they arrived they were greeted by increasingly crowded conditions, and their lives were hampered by bad hygiene, pollution, foul water, poor waste disposal and exposure to ‘urban’ diseases.

Isotope studies, which identify unique isotopic signatures within the skeleton, were undertaken on samples from the teeth of 20 skeletons that had been excavated from the burial ground. It showed that nearly half of them had migrated into London from elsewhere in England, with one person coming from a different country with a much warmer climate. All of the skeletons appear to have been exposed to high levels of lead during childhood, perhaps from lead water pipes and glazed ceramics which would have been used for preparing and serving food. This could have led to delinquent behaviours and even compromised intelligence.

From the experts Science Publications Research Post-medieval Osteoarchaeology News