A new podcast, "Buried Evidence," is investigating a grim archaeological discovery made in 2008 beneath St. John's College, Oxford. The site yielded the remains of 37 men and boys, dating back over a millennium, in what appeared to be a mass grave.
The podcast, hosted by historian Rebecca Rideal and archaeologist Professor Raksha Dave, aims to unravel the circumstances surrounding the burial. Professor Dave described the scene as a "higgledy piggledy mess" with evidence of decapitation, cracked skulls, and charred limbs. Unlike typical burials, the individuals were found in disarray, suggesting they were "tipped in there like rubbish."
Many of the victims sustained wounds to their backs, indicating they may have been fleeing an attack. The presence of burned bones further complicated the investigation. These elements led researchers to consider a connection to the St. Brice's Day massacre, which occurred on November 13, 1002. On that date, King Ethelred the Unready reportedly ordered the killing of all Danes within his kingdom, fearing a conspiracy.
Historical accounts suggest that in Oxford, a group of Danes sought refuge in St. Frideswide's church, only for the building to be set on fire by a mob. However, Professor Dave noted discrepancies between the historical record and the archaeological findings.
Specifically, the absence of women and children among the remains, and the nature of the wounds, have led to alternative theories. "Oxford was very much a wild west town in the early medieval period," Professor Dave stated, suggesting the possibility of widespread mob violence. Further analysis of the bones revealed signs of older, healed trauma, indicating that many of the individuals were likely trained soldiers with robust physiques, rather than ordinary townsfolk.
In addition to the Oxford discovery, a second mass grave in Dorset, dated to the same historical period, also contained the remains of Scandinavian men, possibly soldiers or mercenaries. The "Buried Evidence" podcast explores these findings and attempts to offer a definitive explanation for what transpired.
