Medieval burial ground unearthed
7:45pm Wednesday 28th February 2007 in
Human remains have been found by developers building a new hotel and student block in Preston.
The bones, discovered in Marsh Lane, are believed to be from a medieval burial ground.
Five coffins and a number of skeletal remains have been uncovered, along with medieval glass and floor tiles thought to be up to 700 years old.
The site has been fenced off and work halted to allow archaeologists to examine it.
Experts from Oxford Archaeology North believe that around 20 ancient coffins could be buried there.
The police were called in when the bones were discovered.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "Historically, this is an incredibly exciting find.
"We think the site is the old Franciscan Priory which people have always known existed around here, but were just not sure of its exact location."
Work on the seven-storey hotel, a four-storey student block and an extension to the existing student block began last spring.
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