Human bones found on future site of new school

Feb 4 2010 by George Topp, Hamilton Advertiser

WORK on a new primary school has been halted, following the discovery of mass graves.

Skeletons were found by workmen doing preliminary work for the new Crawfordjohn Primary.

The school, South Lanarkshire’s smallest with just 10 pupils, is next to an old graveyard, and it is thought the remains are linked to it.

Archaeologists were this week working on the site, trying to identify just how many bodies are involved, and their age.

They have also closed off the site, and erected large tarpaulins around the workings to shield their sensitive work from public view.

However the Advertiser understands that workers may have stumbled across the remains of more than 20 people, with the age presently being put at more than 200 years old.

Confirming the discovery a South Lanarkshire Council spokesperson said: “The school site is adjacent to the former Crawfordjohn Church and church burial grounds.

“Due to the sensitive location of the school an archaeological consultant, supervised by the Strathclyde University Archaeological Trust, was appointed to work with the council’s own Building Services during the excavation required for the new build.

“Excavation work started in mid January and human remains were discovered. Immediately works on the new school were halted and an investigation started.

“Investigations continued but a preliminary assessment has indicated that the remains are at least 200- years-old.”

A council insider revealed the bones had been discovered last week.

“The archaeologists are working there just now, trying to establish the full extent of the burial,” he said.