Radiocarbon Dating Identifies Likely Occupant of Roman Sarcophagus Found at Westminster Abbey
In 1869, a limestone sarcophagus was discovered at Westminster Abbey, believed to hold the remains of a man aged between 35 and 49, potentially Aelfwig, a monk and abbot who passed away around 1020, or his successor, Wulfnoth. Archaeologist Warwick Rodwell, in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association, presents findings based on radiocarbon dating and skeletal analysis conducted by James Langthorne, challenging previous evaluations. The Latin inscription on the Roman coffin honors Valerius Amandinus, indicating he was a notable figure in Roman London. Rodwell also endorses Martin Henig's theory that the burial dates back to early fourth-century Christianity. The coffin was relocated during the mid-13th century renovations by Henry III and is currently housed in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which opened in 2018.
Key facts
- The limestone sarcophagus was discovered at Westminster Abbey in 1869 during the tenure of dean Arthur Penrhyn Stanley
- Warwick Rodwell's paper appeared in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association
- Radiocarbon dating places the replacement skeleton between 987 and 1052
- The skeleton was identified as a man aged 35 to 49 and about 5 feet 9 inches tall
- Aelfwig died around 1020; his successor Wulfnoth is the alternative candidate
- The Latin inscription names Valerius Amandinus and his sons Valerius Superventor and Valerius Marcellus
- Martin Henig of the University of Oxford argued the coffin held a Christian burial from the Constantinian era
- An 1820 pencil sketch shows the lid was broken open by looters decades before the 1869 excavation
- Henry III's Gothic rebuilding of the abbey in the mid-13th century led to the remains being moved to the sacristy
- The sarcophagus is on view in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, opened in 2018
Entities
Artists
- Arthur Penrhyn Stanley
- Warwick Rodwell
- James Langthorne
- Martin Henig
- Aelfwig
- Wulfnoth
- Valerius Amandinus
- Valerius Superventor
- Valerius Marcellus
- Bede
- Elethdreda
- Henry III
- Nicola Davis
- Meilan Solly
Institutions
- Westminster Abbey
- Journal of the British Archaeological Association
- University of Oxford
- Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd.
- Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries
- Dean and Chapter of Westminster
- Smithsonian magazine
- The Guardian
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Cambridge
- Grantacaestir
- England