During highway construction near Peterborough, England, crews uncovered a 1,650-pound ancient stone coffin dating back over 1,500 years to the Roman era. The find occurred while upgrading a section of the A47, a road that traces its origins to Roman infrastructure.
Chris Griffin, program leader at National Highways, expressed satisfaction in revealing such a significant archaeological artifact. A team from Headland Archaeology assisted in the excavation, discovering the coffin filled with white plaster.
This type of burial has been previously noted in Roman Britain; in 2023, researchers in York examined several coffins containing hardened gypsum from 1,700 years ago. According to the University of York, Romans occasionally poured liquid gypsum over the bodies in lead or stone coffins before burial, although the reasons remain unclear.
The recent excavation involved 52 archaeologists and 20 civil engineers over a span of seven months. The high-quality craftsmanship of the coffin suggests that it belonged to an individual of elevated status. While no grave goods were found, nearby artifacts included pottery, leather fragments, animal bones, and a glass vessel.
The Roman Empire's conquest of Britain began in 43 C.E. under Emperor Claudius, establishing the province of Britannia and shaping urban and civic development. Recent archaeological efforts in Britain have revealed numerous Roman artifacts, including villas and decorated helmets.
This discovery contributes to understanding life in Roman-influenced regions and will be featured in an upcoming BBC documentary. David Harrison, project manager at Headland Archaeology, noted the unique nature of the coffin and emphasized the importance of meticulous excavation for ongoing research into Roman lifestyles.