In a grim discovery, archaeologists in Bristol have uncovered over 4,500 graves at a site that was once the Stapleton Workhouse, later known as Blackberry Hill Hospital. Cotswold Archaeology conducted the dig from 2018 to 2023, finding the mass graves dating primarily from the 19th-century workhouse period. These burials are believed to include destitute or sick individuals who died at the workhouse and were buried without markers. Some graves may also date back to the location’s earlier history as a prisoner-of-war camp.
Rosanna Price, Cotswold Archaeology’s engagement manager, revealed that the graves offer a poignant insight into the harsh realities of life for impoverished Bristolians during the 1800s. She described the discovery as a window into the social hardships of the time and emphasized the respectful handling of the remains. Price explained that scientific analysis is ongoing to learn more about these individuals’ lives, health, and causes of death.
The excavation has been a collaborative effort involving several academic teams and experts, with a plan to publish findings in 2026 alongside a public engagement program. A memorial ceremony is also in the works to honor those buried at the site, with the Diocese of Bristol involved in overseeing the respectful reburial of remains.
Richard Leaman, Diocesan Secretary from the Diocese of Bristol, confirmed that the reburials would include a marked gravesite to honor the memory of those who died. He reiterated that the work has been conducted in a reverential and lawful manner, ensuring that the history of the site and those buried there are preserved and remembered.
