Archaeologists have discovered rare medieval burials and artifacts beneath the Tower of London’s historic chapel. Credit: Doug Kerr / CC BY SA 2.0
A recent archaeological project at the Tower of London has uncovered rare human burials and centuries-old objects that provide new insight into life during the medieval era. The discovery comes as part of a major excavation—the largest in decades—at the historic site.
The dig was carried out beneath the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula, a small church inside the Tower’s walls. Though best known as the burial site of Anne Boleyn and other notable figures, the chapel itself has a much older history. The current structure, built in the early 1500s, replaced earlier chapels that may date back to the 1100s.
Archaeologists found evidence that four different chapels may have existed on the site across several centuries. Unlike other buildings within the Tower that were often repurposed over time, the chapel site has remained a place of worship for hundreds of years. This long, continuous religious use makes the site unique and valuable for historical study.
High-ranking burials at Tower of London offer glimpse into medieval customs
In total, 22 human remains were unearthed. The burials are believed to be from the 1200s to the 1500s, with many of the individuals likely holding high status in society. The position of their graves—some placed within the chapel, others beneath the altar—suggests a clear social hierarchy in death. Being buried near or beneath the altar was considered the most prestigious.
An exciting graffiti discovery 🤩 This mysterious piece of 16th-century graffiti at the Tower of London has been called indecipherable for over 100 years✍️
Now we can start to read it, Jamie Ingram has discovered a rare female voice! We can’t wait to see how his work progresses. pic.twitter.com/u5NXY7ubCQ
— The Tower of London (@TowerOfLondon) December 2, 2024
The excavation team also discovered items that survived centuries underground, including fragments of jewelry, pieces of stained glass, and, in an unusually rare find, parts of burial shrouds. Such textiles rarely last in soil, but the surrounding clay preserved some of the materials. These remains offer an unusual opportunity to study medieval burial traditions.
One of the most surprising discoveries included two small pots once used for burning incense, dating back to the mid-1100s. Grave goods like these were not commonly found in England during this period, and only two similar items have been previously recorded—one in Oxford and another in Scotland. Experts believe the presence of these items may indicate foreign influence, possibly from Northern France or Denmark, where such burial customs were more common.
Excavation unlocks long-hidden layers of Tower’s past
This rare archaeological opportunity was made possible by modern renovation efforts. Plans to install an elevator at the chapel created a chance to dig deeper than ever before—nearly 10 feet down, across a space of about 650 square feet. In contrast, most excavations at the Tower only disturb the top foot of earth.
Alfred Hawkins, the curator overseeing the project, described it as an exceptional opportunity to reach untouched layers from the early 13th century. Researchers are now analyzing the remains and artifacts at Cardiff University, where further study is expected to reveal more about the lives of those who lived—and died—within the Tower.
These new discoveries show that the Tower of London was not just a fortress or prison, but also a deeply spiritual place where faith and status played a key role in both life and death. The excavation adds a rich new chapter to the story of one of England’s most iconic landmarks.