Monument record 570/1/2 - Human remains at Winwick Church

1828 - while digging a vault in the chancel 3 human skeletons 'of gigantic size' were found laid upon each other & over them a heap of cubical sandstone blocks from 1 to 2 ft in width. Found at a depth of 8 to 10 ft below the floor. No associated coffins (1). Tradition that Winwick church occupied the site of a Druidical altar & also of a Pagan temple. Hill on which church stands may have been artificially raised above its original height. Beamont notes that the 1828 discovery suggests its use as an ancient burial place (2).

<1> Baines, Edward, 1868-91, The History of The County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Baines E 1836 3/625 (Book). SCH1442.

<2> Beamont W, 1879, Winwick its History & Antiquities, /102-1-3 (Book). SCH3716.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ69SW7/1955 (Index). SCH2487.