Excavation involving the transformation of an English department store site into a Gloucestershire University facility unearthed artifacts from three eras — Roman, medieval, and post-medieval — including more than 300 skeletons that were likely buried in or near two separate churches that previously stood on the site.
Roman era artifacts include cobblestones — potentially from a 2nd century road — as well as pottery and the footings of a townhouse. About half the skeletons were found in what appear to be burial vaults, associated with the medieval church. That church is thought to have pre-dated the Norman conquest of 1066. Historians believe it was demolished in the mid-17th century after it sustained damage during the English Civil War.
The remainder of the skeletons were buried not as deeply nor in vaults and are likely associated with the post-medieval St. Aldate's Church. That church was built in about 1750, to replace the one formerly on or near the site.
