A Romano-British Cist Burial from Marton-Cum-Grafton, near Aldborough, North Yorkshire

In 2007 an isolated cist burial was discovered on farmland near Marton-cum-Grafton, North-Yorkshire. An archaeological excavation was undertaken by York Archaeological Trust, funded by English Heritage. The excavation revealed a large cut containing a stone cist, within which a wooden lead-lined coffin had been placed. The skeleton within was of a 30-45 year old male. No grave goods were present within the grave. Cist burials of this type are rare in Britain as a whole, a late third century example from Trentholme Drive in York being the closest comparable example.

Automated summary

In 2007, an isolated cist burial was found on farmland near Marton-cum-Grafton, North Yorkshire. The excavation revealed a large cut containing a stone cist, within which a wooden lead-lined coffin was discovered. Inside the coffin was the skeleton of a male, estimated to be 30-45 years old. This type of cist burial is rare in Britain, with the closest comparable example found in York's Trentholme Drive dating back to the late third century.