Ancient burial unearthed beneath Liège abbey
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Archaeologists in Liège, Belgium, uncovered a burial dating back over 1000 years while excavating the former Saint-Laurent Abbey.
The Walloon Heritage Agency and the Province of Liège have been conducting archaeological digs at the historically important site since the beginning of the year. This week, the team discovered the tomb within the south arm of the abbey’s transept, containing the remains of a high-ranking religious figure.
The individual’s remains showed traces of gold thread around the chest, suggesting an elaborate burial garment. More notably, the person held a staff made of lead alloy in their right hand, indicating they were likely an abbot or bishop. Archaeologists believe the burial dates to around the year 1000, a crucial period in the abbey’s history.
Previous excavations at the site revealed evidence of an older religious building predating the 11th-century abbey, along with old stairs leading to a crypt and a bell-making furnace. An archaeo-anthropologist from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences carefully removed the remains on September 9th, documenting their position before collecting samples for laboratory analysis. Researchers will study the remains to learn more about the man’s age, height, and health, hoping to gain further insight into Saint-Laurent’s early history.
