A recent archaeological discovery at St. John's College, Oxford, has unearthed the remains of 37 men and boys, a find that a new podcast series, "Buried Evidence," is exploring for its potential links to the St. Brice's Day massacre of 1002.
The discovery was made in January 2008 during a routine excavation for new student accommodation. Archaeologists were immediately struck by the site, which contained the bodies of 37 individuals, aged between 12 and 45, dumped in a ditch.
Professor Raksha Dave, an archaeologist involved in the dig, described the scene as a "higgledy piggledy mess" with evidence of decapitation, cracked skulls, and charred limbs. She noted that the burials were not orderly, unlike typical interments, and appeared to have been "tipped in there like rubbish." Many of the wounds found on the bones were to the back, suggesting the individuals were fleeing when attacked.
Some bones also showed signs of burning, which, combined with the nature of the injuries, led investigators to consider a connection to the St. Brice's Day massacre. This event occurred on November 13, 1002, when King Ethelred the Unready ordered the killing of all Danish people in his kingdom following a supposed plot against him. In Oxford, historical accounts suggest a group of Danes sought refuge in St. Frideswide's church, only for a mob to set fire to the building, killing those inside.
However, Professor Dave noted discrepancies between the archaeological findings and the historical record. The absence of women and children in the mass grave, and the presence of older, healed trauma wounds on the bones, suggest the individuals may have been trained soldiers or mercenaries rather than Danish townsfolk. Analysis of the bones indicated they were more robust than the average Anglo-Saxon population, suggesting they were physically formidable fighters.
These findings raise questions about the precise identity of the individuals and the exact circumstances of their deaths. The podcast "Buried Evidence," hosted by historian Rebecca Rideal and Professor Dave, delves into these mysteries, examining the forensic evidence and historical context to shed light on the events surrounding the mass grave.
Further complicating the narrative, a second mass grave in Dorset, dated to the same period, was discovered a year later. The men buried there also appear to have been Scandinavian soldiers or mercenaries, adding another layer to the investigation into this narrow window of history.
"Buried Evidence" aims to unpack these historic crimes and address lingering questions about victims whose stories have largely faded from memory. The first episode, focusing on the Oxford massacre, is available on YouTube and other podcast platforms. The podcast is part of The Crime Desk series, which offers early access to new episodes for subscribers.