Human bones discovered under a couple's patio during a home renovation have been identified as Anglo-Saxon remains and laid to rest after six years. The discovery was made in 2019 at the home of Ross and Claire Sledger in Wye, near Ashford, while an extension was being built.
Builders found the bones and police were called amid fears of a grisly murder scene. The remains included a femur, two skulls, ribs, part of a pelvis, and fragments of a humerus and finger bones.
Investigation and Excavation
Ross, 49, said the couple moved out of their home while police carried out excavation works lasting three days. His first thought was that the bones belonged to someone's pet, but seeing the femur raised alarm bells.
“A builder had actually found several, but it wasn’t until we saw a femur which raised alarm bells as you could see it was human,” he said. “By the following day we had 24/7 observation on the site because they thought it could be a murder scene.”
The couple left the house to allow investigators to work. “We went to a friend’s house and that’s when we were told on the phone they found a second body on the third day,” Ross added.
Anglo-Saxon Origins Revealed
Examinations revealed the bones were Anglo-Saxon, dating from between the fifth and 11th centuries, and around 1,000 years old. More than 25 people attended a service at St Gregory and St Martin Church, beginning with the singing of William Blake’s Jerusalem.
Reverend Ravi Holy, rector of the church, confirmed the identities of both bodies remain unknown but said villagers should have the opportunity to pay their respects. “Ross and Claire are a lovely couple in the village and it was obviously a shock to them,” he said. “But once we knew more information and discovered they were Anglo-Saxon bones, we wanted to do something and that’s why we’ve had the service.”
Historical Context and Final Resting Place
Historians say Bridge Street had been developed for housing in the 1930s, and a number of skeletons were found during that work. Mrs Sledger, 48, who runs The Sawyers bar in Bridge Street, said their neighbour had also discovered a sword and other bones shortly after the 2019 discovery.
“It’s taken a long time to discover what they were and whether they were going to be archived,” she said. “It’s been a lovely service and knowing the bones will be in the churchyard is nice so everyone can pay their respects here, rather than at our house.”
