Alfred the Great
Archaeologists have mounted a search to find the lost remains of Alfred the Great, who ruled England from 871 until his death in 899.
Skeletal Clue
In January 2013, scholars from the University of Winchester announced that they found part of a right pelvis bone of an older adult male in museum storage that might belong to Alfred.
Hyde Abbey
The pelvis bone was originally excavated in the 1990s at Hyde Abbey, a monastery where Alfred was once believed to be buried.
Dead Ends
Before the researchers found the bone, they ran into some dead ends. Some historical accounts suggested that Alfred's remains might be found in an unmarked grave at Saint Bartholomew’s Church in Winchester.
Skulls
After excavating the grave at Saint Bartholomew's, the team found the skeletons of at least six individuals (including at least five skulls).
No Match for a King
None of these skeletons were a match with Alfred. All of them dated between 1100 and 1500, much later than the monarch's reign.
