At the bottom of the English Channel, archeologists made a very surprising and interesting discovery while they were investigating a very old shipwreck that is estimated to be over 800 years old. This discovery shocked many as the content of the shipwreck was not expected to be that old, considering the time it was found in 1982.

Recently, a stunning discovery was made at the bottom of the English Channel while archeologists were investigating a shipwreck that was over 800 years old. This ancient wreck has been sitting at the bottom of the sea for a long time with its cargo by its side. Therefore, the divers decided to check out the cargo and found that the ship once carried very old medieval gravestones. 

This old shipwreck was discovered sometime in 1982. However, the scientists who found it did not initially know what they saw. They assumed it was a large obstruction at the bottom of the sea. Many years later, in 2019, another group of scientists went down there to investigate a bit more. That was when they found out that this was not an obstruction but a very ancient shipwreck. 

The shipwreck was named the Mortar Wreck and was also investigated further. This was when it was discovered that this ship was not just old but ancient. Bournemouth University’s press release reported that British archeologists realized that the wreck was from the era of Henry III, who ruled from 1216 to 1272. Therefore, this ship is estimated to be 800 years old!

The icing on the cake for these archaeologists was finding that the ship had an old cargo by its side. Inside, they discovered medieval gravestones close to the ship. The discovery of these gravestones gave the archaeologists an eerie feeling as they had been in existence for almost 1000 years. However, the stones were made of marble and still have their integrity intact.  

According to Bournemouth University, the Mortar Wreck marks the discovery of the oldest wreckage that has ever been found in England. It was discovered off the coast of Dorset in Studland Bay. The university further explained that the slabs of the gravestones were carved from Purbeck marble, making them stand the test of time. The ship also sank off the Dorset coast in the thirteenth century while Henry III was king. 

These gravestones were made at a time when quality was of high importance. Therefore, they weighed a lot and the archeologists spent two long hours to bring both gravestones to shore. One of the slabs was about 154 pounds in weight and about 4.9 feet long. However, the second slab was much bigger. It had two pieces, weighed 440 pounds, and was 6.5 feet in total length. 

One of the most impressive parts of the discovery was that the gravestones were still in optimal condition, even though one of them was covered in barnacles. However, the integrity of the stones and the markings on them were preserved and did not depreciate greatly. Therefore, it was very easy for the scientists to analyze them and figure out the timeline and use of these slabs and why they were on the ship. 

The carvings on the marble gravestones pointed the scientists in the right direction to figure out who those gravestones were meant for. According to the university’s report, both slabs had carvings of Christian crosses, which were very popular during that period. Since members of the clergy were deemed to be esteemed members of society, the scientists believe that these gravestones were for crypt monuments or coffin lids of the high-ranking members of the clergy. 

Furthermore, experts analyzed the Purbeck marble stone that these slabs were made of to gain more information. They found that they were quite similar to stone slabs found in places like Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral in England. Since the stones in these places were used for bishops and archbishops, this further confirmed the fact that these slabs were meant for Christian monarchs.  

According to Tom Cousins, the archeologist who led the study on these new discoveries, there have been multiple debates about how much marble was quarried in Dorset compared to London. This new discovery has shed new light on this. It has also helped them understand that the stones were carved on Dorset but had not been polished by the time they sank in the thirteenth century. 

This team of archeologists will continue the good work and investigate the Mortar Wreck further. This will help them find or uncover any other new mysteries that may still lie at the bottom of the sea. The slabs and mortars that were found would also give them further insight into the medieval stonemason practices and the medieval society at large. 

In addition, the archeologists have revealed that they will desalinate the gravestones to conserve them appropriately. If all goes well, the undershirt hopes to show these beautiful, magnificent, and ancient gravestones to the general public sometime next year. Lovers of history and art are definitely in for a treat!