An archaeological mystery at Trinity College in Dublin came closer to being solved this week after mediaeval human remains were located in the university grounds. A graveyard believed to be attached to the All Hallows monastery, which pre-dates the 400-year-old university, was discovered when old water pipes were being replaced in Trinity's main square.
Archaeologists have always known that the monastery was in the grounds of the college but were unsure as to its exact location. When Ms Maura Delaney, of the college's anatomy department, was passing as the trenches were being dug, behind the campanile in Trinity's main square, she noticed human bones, according to Dr Heather King, archaeologist with Duchas, the National Monuments Service.
Part of a wall was also discovered during the mechanical digging but was undamaged. It might have been part of the early guard walls of Trinity.
Dr King described the find as a "very exciting development" in terms of locating the monastery, which was last in use in the 16th century. New trenches being dug will be closely monitored for further signs of the original buildings, "but maybe the existing buildings are sitting on the old site", Dr King said.