Archaeologists in England have unearthed new remains at one of the country’s oldest and largest medieval leprosy hospitals. This discovery occurs hundreds of years after the disease devastated regions throughout Britain. The recent dig, as reported by British news source Jam Press, took place at South Common in Lincoln, a historic city in England approximately 140 miles north of London.
The excavated site was once the Hospital of the Holy Innocents, established between the late 11th and early 12th centuries. During a three-day excavation, archaeologists from the British television show “Time Team” uncovered remnants of medieval walls and potential living areas. Officials noted the hospital housed up to 20 leprosy patients at a time and operated for nearly 500 years. (Image source: Jam Press/City of Lincoln Council; Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
The findings build on an excavation from last year when volunteers discovered walls, building surfaces, and artifacts linked to the former hospital.
This time, researchers identified traces of small, square features that may have served as individual living quarters or enclosed yards for patients. These structures had not been previously excavated. (Source: Jam Press)
The findings provide a rare insight into the lives of leprosy patients during the Middle Ages, including who could afford care. Professor Carenza Lewis of the University of Lincoln stated, “You’d need to have resources to get in here.” She likened admission to the hospital to securing a place in a private care home. Historical documents indicate the hospital accommodated up to 20 patients, who might have lived in separate structures with small yards. Professor Lewis commented on the discovery, “We know they had curtilages, enclosed plots of land, suggesting they are separate little buildings, like houses with a little yard.” (Image source: Jam Press/City of Lincoln Council)
Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that mainly affects the skin, nerves, and eyes. Though the disease can cause severe disfigurement if untreated, it is curable with antibiotics and persists today. The Hospital of the Holy Innocents housed leprosy patients since its founding. (Image source: Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images; Jam Press/City of Lincoln Council)
The excavation is part of a three-year research project led by Anglia Ruskin University. The project aims to learn more about the people who lived, worked, and passed away at the medieval hospital. Tim Taylor, the creator of “Time Team,” expressed that the site could uncover more details about Lincoln’s archaeological narrative. He stated, “Lincoln has an extraordinary archaeological story, and this site promises to reveal a fascinating part of it.” Researchers suggest the newly identified structures might offer insights into how patients lived at one of England’s oldest medieval leprosy hospitals. (Image source: Jam Press/City of Lincoln Council)
The recent findings follow a similar discovery last year in York, England. There, a street sinkhole revealed remains belonging to one of northern England’s largest medieval hospitals, believed to be St. Leonard’s Hospital, dating back to the 12th or 13th century.