Roman 'Lexden Lady' Burial with Decorated Lead Coffin to Go on Display in Colchester
Discovered during the 2023 redevelopment of the former Essex County Hospital in Colchester, England, the 'Lexden Lady' was a prominent Roman woman interred in an ornate lead coffin. This burial, dating back to the late Roman era (mid-3rd to mid-5th century CE), likely belonged to a woman in her late 20s or 30s. Accompanying her were five jet hairpins, rare glass flasks, exotic resins, and remnants of frankincense and gypsum. The coffin is adorned with scallop shell designs and a bead-and-double-reel-linear diamond pattern. Lead coffins are uncommon, representing around 2% of Roman burials in Britain. It will be showcased in the exhibition 'The Lexden Lady: From Burial to Biography' from May 16, 2026, to April 30, 2027.
Key facts
- Burial discovered in Colchester, Essex, England, in 2023 during redevelopment of former Essex County Hospital.
- Woman nicknamed 'Lexden Lady' buried in decorated lead coffin with scallop shell, circle, and diamond motifs.
- Grave goods include five jet hairpins, rare glass flasks, exotic resins, frankincense, and gypsum.
- Coffin originally encased in wood; lead coffins account for ~2% of Roman inhumations in Britain.
- Woman likely in late 20s-30s, pagan, member of Roman aristocracy in Camulodunum.
- Exhibition 'The Lexden Lady: From Burial to Biography' runs May 16, 2026 – April 30, 2027 at Colchester Roman Circus Visitor Center.
- Robert Masefield (Tetra Tech) and Adam Wightman (Colchester Archaeological Trust) commented on the find.
- Scallop shell motifs relate to soul's journey to the Blessed Isles; circles represent sun or moon.
Entities
Institutions
- Colchester Archaeological Trust
- Tetra Tech Consulting
- Colchester Roman Circus Visitor Center
- University of York
Locations
- Colchester
- Essex
- England
- London
- Camulodunum
- York
- Colchester Roman Circus Visitor Center
- Essex County Hospital