Archaeologists have removed and examined over 200 skeletons from the Square Chapel graveyard, as part of the Piece Hall transformation project in Halifax.
The excavations were undertaken by Archaeological Services WYAS as part of the £19 million transformation project funded by Calderdale Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Two hundred and seventeen skeletons were removed and 203 underwent osteological analysis, which examined the bones to reveal information about the diet and lifestyle of the people living in Halifax over 200 years ago.
The burials date from 1772 until the early 1860s, and include the skeletons of 132 adults and 71 children.
The analysis shows that many of the children died in their early childhood. It is likely that this was due to diet and the traditional childhood illnesses which were common at this time.
After the research was completed the skeletons were reinterred at Stoney Royd Cemetery in Halifax.
The Piece Hall transformation project is funded jointly by Calderdale Council together with a generous £7 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Council is also very grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation which are supporting the scheme.
Leader of Calderdale Council, Cllr Tim Swift said:
“The analysis gives us a fascinating snapshot of life in Halifax around the time that the Piece Hall was built. It’s very possible that some of the people who were buried in the graveyard even played a part in the decision to build the Piece Hall."
“This is an important part of our heritage, telling us more about the history of Halifax and its people and the story of the Piece Hall.”
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