Archaeologists in England have uncovered new remains at one of the country's oldest and largest medieval leprosy hospitals, hundreds of years after the disease ravaged communities across Britain.The recent excavation, reported by British news agency Jam Press, centered on South Common in Lincoln, a historic English city roughly 140 miles north of London.The site was once home to the Hospital of the Holy Innocents, which was founded between the late 11th and early 12th centuries.MYSTERIOUS SETTLEMENT DISCOVERED AFTER RESIDENTS SEEMINGLY PACKED UP AND VANISHEDDuring a three-day excavation, archaeologists from the British television program "Time Team" uncovered traces of medieval walls and possible living quarters.The hospital operated for nearly 500 years, housing up to 20 leprosy patients at a time, officials said. Archaeologists have uncovered new remains of a medieval leprosy hospital that operated for nearly 500 years.(Jam Press/City of Lincoln Council; Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)The findings build on an excavation that took place last year, when volunteers unearthed walls, building surfaces and artifacts linked to the former hospital.This time, researchers identified traces of small, square features that may have served as individual living quarters or enclosed yards for patients.
The structures have never been excavated before, researchers said, according to Jam Press.SHOCKING DISCOVERY OF ANCIENT BONES TURNS COUPLE'S KITCHEN RENOVATION INTO 'CRIME SCENE'The findings offer a rare glimpse into how leprosy patients may have lived during the Middle Ages, including who could afford to receive care."You'd need to have resources to get in here," Professor Carenza Lewis of the University of Lincoln said, according to Jam Press.Archaeologists investigating South Common in Lincoln have uncovered evidence of small, square structures that may have housed medieval leprosy patients.(Jam Press/City of Lincoln Council)"If you had enough money and could b...