Unearthed Treasure: Extraordinary Roman Stone Coffin Found Amid A47 Roadworks

Episode 1 showcases a colossal hand-carved stone coffin, untouched since its interment in Roman times over 1,500 years ago.

Specialists from Headland Archaeology discovered it in a small Roman wayside cemetery, unveiled during our efforts to enhance the A47 into a dual carriageway. A section of the A47 between Wansford and Sutton near Peterborough aligns with an ancient Roman road.

Weighing 750kg, measuring over 2m in length and with sides approaching 10cm in thickness, the coffin represents a rare discovery. Stone coffins are infrequent, with only around 50 having been unearthed throughout Roman Britain.

It could possibly belong to a person of elevated status within the local society. 

The coffin contained white Gypsum, a naturally occurring mineral utilized in plaster production. This burial tradition is traced back to the Roman era (43AD – 410AD). The precise reasons for encasing bodies in plaster remain unclear. It might also signify the interment of an affluent individual. 

Upon extracting the coffin from the ground, archaeologists began carefully separating bones from their plaster encasement.

Some plaster remnants exhibited imprints of the fabric in which the body had been buried. The most significant plaster fragment partially retained the outline of the body itself.

This was not a solitary burial.  The stone sarcophagus was encircled by 23 additional graves – likely part of a family or community.

Numerous burials yielded intriguing discoveries. One grave of a young woman contained a collection of valuables – all placed at the feet of the body.

This might represent the dowry of a young woman – accompanying her into the next life.

The grave also held glass and ceramic drinking vessels, possibly intended for a final toast at the graveside or a commemoration.

Further buried treasures uncovered in our projects across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Essex will be highlighted in future episodes.

Tune in to Digging for Britain on BBC iPLAYER.

Discover how we conduct archaeology prior to construction activities.

Learn more about our A47 Wansford to Sutton dualling project.