Victorian-era human bones found hidden inside monastery wall
MYSTERY SURROUNDS DISCOVERY, BUT POLICE RULE OUT FOUL PLAY
HUMAN bones dating back to the 19th century have been discovered in the grounds of a county monastery.
A builder came across a wall cavity filled with bones as he completed work on a brick wall of the chapter house at Mount St Bernard Abbey near Coalville.
After a few of the bones were removed from the wall, it became apparent they were human remains.
Police were called and further inquiries were carried out.
The bones were analysed by an anthropologist who confirmed that they were human remains, and that they dated back to the Victorian era.
Some of the bones appeared to have been wired and screwed together, suggesting they had been used to an anatomical display for educational purposes.
Police believe there were no suspicious circumstances and left them in possession of the monastery, which is home to a community of Cistercian monks.
But the mystery still remains of where the bones came from and why or how they ended up there. It is understood that the bones had been there for around 160 years.
Mount St Bernard Abbey was founded in 1835 and the monastery that stands today was built in 1844.
According to a Facebook post shared by the monastery, the archived records of the abbey give no indication as to why the bones were there.
The post said: “One theory is that at the time of the construction of the chapter house we were contacted by an educational institution or hospital who no longer had any use for the bones asking if we could suitably bury them and it was decided the chapter house would be a good place for them, even though we have a proper cemetery in the grounds.”
The bones have been replaced where they were found, and a simple religious ceremony is planned.
The find is also to be marked by a small memorial.