Unearthing Cornwall’s Lost Leper Hospital - Medieval Mystery Solved? | Time Team - S4 E2

Unearthed near an ancient bridge, mysterious Cornish skeletons spark a race against time to reveal their secrets. Is this the lost leper hospital of medieval Cornwall? Join Time Team as they investigate a surprising discovery of human bones during pipe-laying near the Devon-Cornwall border. With clues pointing to a forgotten leper hospital and an old medieval crossing, the team faces just three days to uncover the truth behind these centuries-old burials. Using geophysics, historical maps, and forensic archaeology, they piece together evidence from pottery, bone analysis, and even ancient charters to determine whether these remains belonged to lepers, execution victims, or others lost to history. Watch as the experts navigate claggy trenches, pouring rain, and conflicting clues. Discover how medieval medicine, herbal remedies, and burial customs shaped the fate of those who lived on the margins of society. With detailed bone examinations and radiocarbon dating, the story unfolds - was this woman a leper from the hospital’s earliest days, or part of another lost chapter? Find out how the landscape, local legends, and archaeological science finally converge to solve the mystery of the Cornish skeletons. #Archaeology #TimeTeam #LeperHospital #CornwallHistory #MedievalEngland #ForensicArchaeology #HumanRemains #HistoricalMystery