Researchers at Durham University concluded that identifying the remains as Dunbar’s prisoners was “the only plausible explanation” when scientific data was analyzed alongside historical information.

The Battle of Dunbar was one of the most brutal, bloody and short battles of the civil wars of the 17th century. In less than an hour, the English parliamentary army, under the command of Oliver Cromwell, defeated the Scottish Covenant army supporting Charles II’s claim to the Scottish throne.

Although exact figures are not known, around 1,700 Scottish soldiers are believed to have died of malnutrition, disease and cold after marching more than 100 miles from southeast Scotland to Durham, northeast England, where they were imprisoned in the cathedral. and Durham Castle, by then disused for several years.

The surviving prisoners were transported to different parts of the world, including Virginia and New England, USA, where they worked as servants.

They were able to gain their freedom if they saved enough to redeem their asking price or worked throughout the entire period of their contract and some became successful farmers in Maine.

What happened to the bodies of those who died has been a mystery for almost 400 years, but researchers at Durham University believe they have begun to solve the puzzle.

In November 2013, during the construction of a new cafe for the University Palace Green Library, in the city’s UNESCO World Heritage site, archaeologists from Durham University discovered human remains that were present throughout construction work.

The jumbled skeletons of at least 17 and up to 28 individuals were later excavated from two burial pits (a 29th individual was not exhumed). Since then, investigators have been conducting a wide range of tests to try to establish their identities.

Experts initially considered most of the evidence to be consistent with the bodies of Scottish soldiers, but were unable to draw a firm conclusion from research conducted in 2014 because initial radiocarbon dating analysis indicated a date of death slightly earlier than the battle of Dunbar.

However, subsequent radiocarbon dating analysis of four additional samples, which were carefully selected to ensure a more accurate result, combined with the fact that some of the prisoners had smoked clay pipes, known to have been in use common in Scotland after 1620, has concluded that the date of death was between 1625 and 1660.

When these dates are combined with the nature of the graves; the results of previous scientific and observational tests that established that the adult skeletons were all male; the fact that the skeletons were predominantly aged between 13 and 25 years; and as isotope analysis showed that the skeletons were probably of Scottish origin, all this points to their identification as the prisoners of the Battle of Dunbar.

A team of experts from Durham University Archaeological Services, the University’s commercial archeology consultancy unit, and academics from the Archeology and Earth Sciences departments, worked together to excavate and analyze the skeletons.

The excavation and research was funded by Durham University.

Dr Andrew Millard, senior lecturer in the Department of Archeology at Durham University, said: “Testing a theory in archeology involves bringing together many different types of evidence and putting the puzzle together so we can make an informed assessment.

“When we had the results of the first radiocarbon dating tests, we had a very wide range of dates and we were not in a position to draw a definitive conclusion about the identity of the skeletons, which is why we carried out more tests.

“Given the range of detailed scientific evidence we now have, along with historical evidence from the period, identifying the bodies as Scottish soldiers from the Battle of Dunbar is the only plausible explanation.”

The battle left between 300 and 5000 ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. Modern estimates suggest that approximately 6,000 Scottish soldiers were taken prisoner and approximately 1,000 of those who were sick and wounded were later released to go home.

About 1,000 of the men are thought to have died en route to Durham from a combination of hunger, exhaustion and gastric problems, probably dysentery. Others were executed, while some escaped.

Around 3,000 Scottish soldiers in total were imprisoned in Durham Cathedral and Castle, at a time when the Cathedral was empty and abandoned, its Dean and Chapter had been evicted and the cult suppressed by order of Oliver Cromwell, as was the case with all English cathedrals at that time.

An estimated 1,700 prisoners from the battle died and were buried in Durham and experts say there are potentially many more burials nearby.

Richard Annis, senior archaeologist at Durham University Archaeological Services, said: “This is an extremely significant find, particularly as it sheds new light on a 365-year-old mystery about what happened to the bodies of the soldiers who died. .

“Their burial was a military operation: ᴅᴇᴀᴅ’s bodies were dumped in two pits, possibly over a period of days. They were at the other end of what would have been the grounds of Durham Castle, as far from the castle itself as possible; They were out of sight, out of mind.

“It is quite possible that there are more earthen graves beneath what are now university buildings that would have been open ground in the early to mid-17th century.” The Durham University team, with Durham Cathedral, will work with partners and interested parties to determine what will happen to the remains of the Scottish soldiers and an appropriate commemoration.

These discussions are likely to include the Church of Scotland, as the prisoners would have been predominantly Scottish Presbyterians.

Tomorrow (Thursday 3 September), on the anniversary of the Battle of Dunbar, prayers of remembrance will be said at Durham Cathedral.

Canon Rosalind Brown, of Durham Cathedral, said: “There is a plaque in Durham Cathedral commemorating the Scottish soldiers, which was dedicated in November 2011 on St Andrew’s Day. The discovery of the bodies and the conclusion that they are some of the Scottish soldiers is of great importance.

“The Cathedral will work closely with all interested parties to determine the most appropriate course of action for the burial of the soldiers in a manner appropriate to their Christian tradition. “We are particularly mindful of the descendants of Scottish soldiers and hope and pray that this new information may bring comfort.”

If deemed appropriate, there could be further research work to determine more biographical details and discover more about the lives the soldiers led prior to their involvement in the Battle of Dunbar, although this will require additional funding.

Eventually, the bodies will have to be reburied in accordance with the terms of the exhumation license issued by the Ministry of Justice.