Eighth-century Berkshire monastery may have been one of the UK's first hospices
An eighth-century monastery in Cookham, Berkshire, may have been one of the UK's earliest hospices.
Experts believe the monastery, led by Queen Cynethryth more than 1,200 years ago, was used as a care centre where surgeries, herbal remedies and other medical support was offered to the sick and dying.
The site has been excavated by University of Reading staff and students every summer since 2021.
Initial analysis of the 23 skeletons excavated from the 80 burials discovered at the site showed monastery residents suffered from poor health, ranging from skeletal trauma, to infections, to tumours.
Professor Gabor Thomas, who leads the project, said: 'Initial analysis of the remains discovered at Cookham indicates a high prevalence of individuals with unusual or severe pathological conditions.
"Nearly every person suffered from some form of health challenge, and this would have been obvious to those in their community.
'It is possible that the monastery may have been one of the UK's earliest hospices, offering medical care to people with, ailments, injuries and those coming to the end of their lives.
"The diversity and rarity of conditions suggest that a proportion of these individuals may have come from beyond Cookham to seek healing.'
Dr Ceri Falys, a specialist in human bone analysis, examined 23 remains lookIG at the biological sex, age-at-death and pathology of each individual. Results showed:
Of the 14 remains excavated from the eastern trench of the monastery, there were seven males, six females and one child. Most of the adults died after the age of 46, and most of the bodies were smaller than expected for their age.
Nine of these skeletons showed signs of skeletal trauma, which were likely to have been caused by accidents. One appeared to have had skull surgery before their death, while two had bone deformities likely caused by tumours.
Older individuals buried at this part of the site showed signs of osteoarthritis, and one patient appeared to have walked with a limp.
An infant who died before the age of one was discovered as part of the nine remains excavated from the western trench, alongside a male with poor dental health who was unable to chew on one side of his mouth. Five of the burials indicated individuals with developmental defects, with one having a shortened leg, indicating crutch use.
Some of the skeletons showed signs of pressure sores, suggesting extended periods of lying down.
Further excavations at Cookham will enable archaeologists to find out more about the Anglo-Saxons buried at the monastery, including what caused their diseases and injuries, what their diets looked like, what treatments they received and where they lived.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
In pictures: 8th Century monastery dig in Cookham
Archaeology students have been uncovering evidence of early end-of-life care during excavations at an 8th Century and staff from the University of Reading have been taking part in an annual dig at the site in Cookham, year Thomas Hayes, director of the university's field school, said they had found evidence of illness and treatment in human remains, including bedsores, suggesting palliative care may have taken Sophia Mills, a forensic archaeology expert at the university, said it had been a "very delicate process" as "these individuals have not chosen to be excavated and so we are being as respectful as we can be and very, very careful". You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
04-08-2025
- The Independent
Nutritionists warn that your matcha obsession could have this health drawback
The world has developed a thirst for matcha – a bright green Japanese drink that's sought after for its health benefits and caffeine. However, the drink of choice for many may have a downside. Not only is its popularity drying up global supplies, but drinking too much of it could contribute to an iron deficiency. Nutritionists warn the green lattes can affect iron absorption and vegetarians are at a higher risk than meat eaters. Matcha is made from the green tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, which is ground into a powder. Because it's grown in the shade the plant produces more chlorophyll, which not only gives it a deep green colour but also means it contains more nutrients. Rob Hobson, a nutritionist and author of Unprocess Your Family Life, explains the drink does have health benefits. 'It contains polyphenols which protects the body against oxidative damage. So, it helps to reduce inflammation which then helps to protect against chronic diseases,' he told the Independent. 'Because it contains caffeine it helps with mental focus. But it also contains L-theanine which helps to lessen that jittery edge that you get from caffeine,' he added. Research has also suggested these polyphenols in matcha can reduce the risk of heart disease. But the same health boosting polyphenols also make it harder for the body to absorb iron. Gunter Kuhnle, a professor of nutrition and food science at the University of Reading explained matcha tea can affect iron absorption by binding the (non-haem) iron that is found in many plant foods – such as lentils, leafy greens and tofu. 'It contains the compounds catechins and tannins – which are both polyphenols – that can bind to iron in the digestive tracts, and this stops them from being taken up by the body,' Professor Kuhnle told the Independent. 'These complexes then pass through the gut and are not useful for the body – this can reduce iron uptake by up to 50 per cent, but this varies a lot between individuals and depends on the timing of the meal and the type of food,' he added. He explained there is a similar problem with green tea because it also contains high levels of polyphenols. Although rare, in one instance a 48-year-old man became anaemic from excessive green tea consumption Professor Kuhnle said. Mr Hobson stressed that you don't need to worry if you have a balanced diet, but warned vegetarians are at a greater risk. That's because it only affects non-haem iron which is in tofu and lentils and not haem iron which is found in meat. 'If you are vegan or vegetarian and you are relying on lentils, leafy green and tofu for your iron, then you might want to avoid drinking matcha with your meals because it can inhibit iron absorption in the gut,' Mr Hobson said. He also stressed that if you are low in iron anyway and take iron supplements, you should avoid taking these at the same time as drinking a matcha. An iron deficiency, also called anaemia, can cause tiredness, shortness of breath, paler skin, headaches and heart palpitations, according to the NHS. Low iron is common among teenage girls, vegans and vegetarians with a study by Lund University in Sweden finding 38 per cent of participants who were teenage girls and 70 per cent of participants who were vegetarian or vegan, affected by the deficiency. If you want to reap the health benefits of matcha, in addition to not drinking it at mealtimes, make sure to avoid adding a lot of syrup or cream. Mr Hobson instead suggests the healthiest option is to drink it plain.
BBC News
03-08-2025
- BBC News
Unearthing end-of-life care at 8th Century Cookham monastery
A group of archaeology students have said their work feels "really important" after uncovering evidence of early end-of-life care during excavations at an 8th Century of Reading students and staff have been taking part in an annual dig at the site in Cookham, Berkshire, and a neighbouring team first discovered the Anglo-Saxon site in Cookham, Berkshire, in Hayes, director of the university's field school, said this year they had found evidence of illness and treatment in human remains, including bedsores, suggesting palliative care may have taken place. "It feels like I'm doing something really important," said first year undergraduate student Thalia Argrave."It's just the constant reminder that these were people, they were living their lives just as we're currently living our lives, and we're finding out about them and rediscovering them now. I'm really happy to be a part of [it]." Mr Hayes said the archaeologists had found "a lot more in the way of human remains", particularly "a number of juvenile remains".The evidence of those in the monastery caring for the sick, he said, was "really important"."At the time, care for the soul and care for the body were treated almost as the same - equal importance."But it's also showing the execution of this religious duty in the actual practice of this monastery."We don't always see that in the archaeological record but here we're seeing it very actively in the population that we're finding." Ms Argrave said the team spent a year preparing for the dig, adding: "It's really valuable and important to be part of that first hand."There are experts everywhere in the trenches so we're asking lots of questions and learning so much." Elearnor Rawlings, another first year student, said taking part in the dig made her appreciate how much effort is involved."I have so much more appreciation for the work that goes into what they put in the museums, because this takes so long to slowly inch away all the soil and to get such a good clear outline," she said. "I'm loving it."The excavated skeletons "tell their own stories", she added. "The bones themselves can tell you so much more about what a person's life would have looked like in that time." Mr Hayes said it was interesting to see the students get involved."Some of the students, who had no expectations and didn't know what to expect from this, are really taking to it and really enjoying it."This year, we've got a fantastic group of students who are just getting stuck in and asking loads of really interesting questions and really engaging with the subject." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
