Image Album: A Medieval Knight's Kin?

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Ancient Tomb

skeletons being unearthed at an excavation of a medieval knight's tomb

(Image credit: Headland Archaeology)

In March 2013, University of Edinburgh archaeologists on hand at a construction site in Edinburgh, Scotland unearthed what may be a medieval knight's burial site.

Headstone

The headstone of a medieval knight unearthed in Scotland

(Image credit: Headland Archaeology/ Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation)

The skeleton was found with a slab engraved with images of a calvary and sword, symbols typically associated with nobility. The markings suggested the grave belonged to a medieval knight.

Excavations continuing

burial crypt unearthed under a parking lot in Edinburgh

(Image credit: Headland Archaeology)

As the excavations continued, archaeologists found seven other complete skeletons and one partial skeleton behind a wall.

Family crypt

Skeletons were unearthed near what may be a knight's tomb in Edinburgh

(Image credit: Headland Archaeology)

The discovery may be a family burial crypt for the knight's relatives.

Several people

skeletons unearthed in an Edinburgh parking lot

(Image credit: Headland Archaeology)

It's possible the team will unearth even more skeletons as excavations continue.

Woman and infant

Skeletal remains unearthed in an Edinburgh parking lot

(Image credit: Headland Archaeology)

Among the finds were an adult female and an infant skeleton.

Historic site

More skeletons unearthed at the site of a Medieval knight's tomb

(Image credit: Headland Archaeology)

Though the site is now a parking lot, archaeologists expected to find historic artifacts: the site was once a 13th century Blackfriars monastery, then a series of high-schools in the 16th and 17th century.

Parking lots

skeletal remains found near a medieval knight's tomb

(Image credit: Headland Archaeology)

Parking lots are rich troves for archaeologistsl: a medieval church was found buried beneath one, and researchers found the remains of King Richard III underneath another.

Tia Ghose
Tia Ghose
Editor-in-Chief (Premium)

Tia is the editor-in-chief (premium) and was formerly managing editor and senior writer for Live Science. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Wired.com, Science News and other outlets. She holds a master's degree in bioengineering from the University of Washington, a graduate certificate in science writing from UC Santa Cruz and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Tia was part of a team at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that published the Empty Cradles series on preterm births, which won multiple awards, including the 2012 Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism.