Archaeologists from Leicester University have finally revealed the contents of a lead coffin found near the grave of King Richard III. Richard III was found buried under a parking lot in Leicester, England. The coffin, discovered within a sarcophagus in 2013, contained the remains of an elderly woman, archaeologists announced Sunday.
The coffin held a crucifix, along with the woman's skeleton. Scientists believe the woman was likely buried during the second half of the 13th century, before Richard III died. The find marks the first intact medieval stone coffin found in the area, Discovery News reports.
The site is also home to several other graves, discovered beneath the parking lot. Matthew Morris, who led the dig, told Discovery News that there is "potential for hundreds more burials" at the site, which was once home to a medieval Franciscan church.
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Morris told Discovery News that the archaeologists thought the person buried inside the coffin would be male. He believes the discovery will provide "important insights into the interaction of women and the religious orders in the medieval period."
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