Two skeletons discovered during 2019 works at the Tower were analyzed for diet, health and origins. Neither individual was born and raised in London. One shows childhood malnutrition or disease and appears to have lived at the Tower only briefly before death. The other had a rich diet with regular meat and fish and relocated at least twice before arriving at the Tower. 2025 excavations uncovered over 20 remains, including a 14th-century group that may be a Black Death-related mass grave, multiple late 12th–early 13th-century skeletons, several coffin burials and one burial with grave goods suggesting possible high status. Further digs are expected to reveal more about the Tower community.
Our analysis shows that both individuals were not born and raised in London. Despite being buried in the grand surroundings of the Tower, one bears evidence of suffering from a period of malnutrition or disease in their childhood and only resided in the Tower for a relatively short period before death. By contrast, the other enjoyed a rich diet possibly from childhood, with easy access to meat and fish, and moved at least twice before moving to the Tower.
Further excavations taking place this year are expected to uncover even more clues about the people who lived and worked in the Tower hundreds of years ago. So far during the 2025 dig, the team has uncovered the remains of more than 20 individuals, including a 14th-century collection of burials, which may be a mass grave, possibly related to the Black Death.
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