Archaeologists Make Significant Discovery in Pembrokeshire
Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery beneath the former Ocky White department store in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. The skeletal remains of over 240 people, including more than 100 children, have been unearthed alongside remnants of a medieval priory. This find has been hailed as “hugely significant” by experts, shedding light on the site’s rich history dating back to the 13th century.
St. Saviour’s Priory: A Hidden History Revealed
The excavation site is believed to be the location of St. Saviour’s Priory, established around 1256. Historical records indicate that King Henry III granted the friars funds to build a church in 1246, with additional support provided a decade later for relocation and expansion. The priory flourished for centuries before facing financial difficulties in the early 16th century, ultimately being dissolved in 1538 during the second wave of monastic dissolutions.
A Glimpse into Medieval Life and Death
The discovery offers valuable insights into medieval life and mortality rates. Site supervisor Andrew Shobbrook from Dyfed Archaeological Trust noted that about half of the remains belonged to children, primarily infants under four years old, reflecting the high child mortality rates of the era. Some remains also show evidence of battle-related injuries, potentially linking them to a 1405 siege on Haverfordwest by French and Welsh rebels.
From Priory to Department Store: Centuries of Change
After its dissolution, St. Saviour’s Priory vanished from the landscape, leaving only traces in local place names. The site is thought to have once comprised a complex of buildings including dormitories, a hospital, and stables, along with a graveyard possibly used until the early 1700s. The land’s history came full circle when it became home to the Ocky White department store, which closed in 2013.
Next Steps: Analysis and Reinterment
Experts will now analyze the remains to gather more information about the individuals buried at the site. Following this examination, the remains will be respectfully reinterred nearby, ensuring that this important piece of Welsh history is preserved and honored.
