Mystery surrounds Huddersfield church dig as shells, bottles and bones discovered
A treasure trove of interesting and important artefacts have been uncovered alongside human bones during a building project in Huddersfield town centre.
Work to create an events space in a section of St Peter's Gardens beside Huddersfield Parish Church involved archaeologists investigating the graveyard site to a depth of no more than 1.5m which led to the discovery of many old human bones, including children's bones, and quite a few artefacts.
Pieces of a marble plaque headstone in memory of the wife of Captain Lewis Fenton, Huddersfield's first MP from the Whig Party in 1831, were found along with broken tobacco pipes, some oyster shells, a marble rose, a smelling salts glass bottle, some buttons, some modern bricks made in Huddersfield, a shroud pin, and what appears to be an old ink well which is marked 'Doulton Lambeth'.
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Old newspaper cuttings would suggest that the unfortunate Captain Fenton died in 1833 when he fell from his house window, possibly while standing on a chair and looking out to see if some cows were eating his turnips in a field below.
Dr Mike Bembridge, a former church warden at the parish church, was on hand to show Yorkshire Live the various finds which span several centuries. The first church on the site was built around 1090-1100, with a second parish church built between 1503-1506. Today's church was built in 1836, with the area beside the church used as a cemetery for many centuries.
Dr Bembridge, who is researching the building's history, believes some of the material, such as lime plaster, found during the recent work in St Peter's Gardens could date from the 16th century.
The remains of smoking pipes, oyster shells and broken bottles - possibly beer bottles - could be the remains of a gravedigger's lunch, although of course this is just guesswork.
One gravestone was found around 3ft beneath the surface and was rescued. It remembers Sarah, wife of Robert Smith of Haigh, and is dated 1735. Many of the gravestones are now incorporated into the new-look events space.
Dr Bembridge says the various artefacts do raise some interesting questions about the graveyard.
"There are lots more questions now," he says. "The questions for us are how and when was the graveyard used? And how long ago when the first bodies went in."
The number of bones found may suggest that some were 'pauper graves' or that they may be the remains of people who were buried without church permission. All the bones were re-committed on site and a service was held.
There are now plans to create a display of the artefacts. The project, which began in April, is due to be completed later this year.
On September 21 the church will be hosting a show in the new events space, with acts from Stagecoach Theatre company, musician Pat Fulgoni, tribute band Storm and more. Visitors are encouraged to arrive from 4:30pm to enjoy the entertainment.
The various artefacts can be viewed in the parish church during Kirklees Council Heritage Open Days until September 15.
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