Archaeologists in Denmark have uncovered around 20 skeletons believed to belong to Copenhagen’s medieval leprosy hospital, providing the first physical evidence for an institution known from written sources for centuries. The discovery could offer new insights into leprosy and the lives of people affected by the disease in the Danish city.
The remains were discovered during archaeological work at a building site on Gammel Kongevej in Copenhagen. Archaeologists from the Copenhagen Museum have so far excavated around 20 individuals from a relatively small area, including men, women and children.
The skeletons were found in several layers, one above another, suggesting that the site served as a burial ground over an extended period. Archaeologists believe the cemetery belonged to Skt. Jørgens Gård, Copenhagen’s medieval hospital for people with leprosy.
“History lies right under our feet,” says Christopher Røhl, Copenhagen’s mayor for culture and leisure. “This find is a strong example of why archaeological excavations are so important. They are not just something we do because we have to when we build new or develop Copenhagen. They give us new knowledge about how Copenhageners before us lived, and help us to understand the city we live in.”
Copenhagen’s medieval leprosy hospital
Everything indicates that the remains of the leper hospital by the lakes in Copenhagen are emerging from the ground these days. Photo: Copenhagen Museum, Culture, Leisure and Citizen Service Administration, Municipality of Copenhagen
Skt. Jørgens Gård was in use from 1254 until 1524, when the hospital was closed and its patients were transferred to Vartov Hospital. Although written sources had long indicated where the hospital was located, archaeologists had never previously found physical evidence of the institution.
Its location has also survived in Copenhagen’s geography. The nearby Skt. Jørgens Sø, or St. Jørgen’s Lake, takes its name from the medieval hospital.
“We have long known from written sources that Skt. Jørgens Gård was located in this area,” explains says Gunvor Christiansen, head of archaeology at Copenhagen Museum. “But until now we have never had the physical evidence. Therefore, it is a very special find that can give us the opportunity to get much closer to the people who lived with leprosy in medieval Copenhagen.”
Hospitals known as Skt. Jørgens Gårde were established in a number of places across medieval Denmark to house people with leprosy. Because the disease was considered contagious, these institutions were generally situated beyond the main urban settlements.
Copenhagen’s Skt. Jørgens Gård similarly stood on what was then the outskirts of the medieval city, approximately where Gammel Kongevej begins today. The expansion of Copenhagen in subsequent centuries eventually brought the area within the modern city.
What the skeletons could reveal
The excavation at Gammel Kongevej is expected to last a few more weeks. Photo: Copenhagen Museum, Culture, Leisure and Citizens’ Services Administration, Municipality of Copenhagen
The well-preserved human remains could provide researchers with considerably more information about the people associated with the hospital. Further examination will look for evidence of disease on their bones and may help establish who was buried in the cemetery.
The discovery could also provide evidence about the prevalence of leprosy in medieval Copenhagen and how the disease affected those who lived with it.
For now, the association between the burials and Skt. Jørgens Gård is based on their location and archaeological context. Detailed study of the remains is still to come.
Archaeologists have already identified the northern boundary of the burial ground, but they believe the cemetery extends beneath Gammel Kongevej and possibly continues on the other side of the road. Individual human bones have previously been discovered in that area, although they were never subjected to detailed examination.
Excavations are continuing at the site, after which the skeletons and other archaeological finds will undergo further analysis. Researchers hope the work will provide a much clearer picture of the people who lived, and ultimately were buried, at Copenhagen’s medieval leprosy hospital.
Top Image: Archaeologist from the Copenhagen Museum excavating a skeletal skull from the ground Photo: Copenhagen Museum, Culture, Leisure and Citizens’ Services Administration, Municipality of Copenhagen
Archaeologists in Denmark have uncovered around 20 skeletons believed to belong to Copenhagen’s medieval leprosy hospital, providing the first physical evidence for an institution known from written sources for centuries. The discovery could offer new insights into leprosy and the lives of people affected by the disease in the Danish city.
The remains were discovered during archaeological work at a building site on Gammel Kongevej in Copenhagen. Archaeologists from the Copenhagen Museum have so far excavated around 20 individuals from a relatively small area, including men, women and children.
The skeletons were found in several layers, one above another, suggesting that the site served as a burial ground over an extended period. Archaeologists believe the cemetery belonged to Skt. Jørgens Gård, Copenhagen’s medieval hospital for people with leprosy.
“History lies right under our feet,” says Christopher Røhl, Copenhagen’s mayor for culture and leisure. “This find is a strong example of why archaeological excavations are so important. They are not just something we do because we have to when we build new or develop Copenhagen. They give us new knowledge about how Copenhageners before us lived, and help us to understand the city we live in.”
Copenhagen’s medieval leprosy hospital
Skt. Jørgens Gård was in use from 1254 until 1524, when the hospital was closed and its patients were transferred to Vartov Hospital. Although written sources had long indicated where the hospital was located, archaeologists had never previously found physical evidence of the institution.
Its location has also survived in Copenhagen’s geography. The nearby Skt. Jørgens Sø, or St. Jørgen’s Lake, takes its name from the medieval hospital.
“We have long known from written sources that Skt. Jørgens Gård was located in this area,” explains says Gunvor Christiansen, head of archaeology at Copenhagen Museum. “But until now we have never had the physical evidence. Therefore, it is a very special find that can give us the opportunity to get much closer to the people who lived with leprosy in medieval Copenhagen.”
Hospitals known as Skt. Jørgens Gårde were established in a number of places across medieval Denmark to house people with leprosy. Because the disease was considered contagious, these institutions were generally situated beyond the main urban settlements.
Copenhagen’s Skt. Jørgens Gård similarly stood on what was then the outskirts of the medieval city, approximately where Gammel Kongevej begins today. The expansion of Copenhagen in subsequent centuries eventually brought the area within the modern city.
What the skeletons could reveal
The well-preserved human remains could provide researchers with considerably more information about the people associated with the hospital. Further examination will look for evidence of disease on their bones and may help establish who was buried in the cemetery.
The discovery could also provide evidence about the prevalence of leprosy in medieval Copenhagen and how the disease affected those who lived with it.
For now, the association between the burials and Skt. Jørgens Gård is based on their location and archaeological context. Detailed study of the remains is still to come.
Archaeologists have already identified the northern boundary of the burial ground, but they believe the cemetery extends beneath Gammel Kongevej and possibly continues on the other side of the road. Individual human bones have previously been discovered in that area, although they were never subjected to detailed examination.
Excavations are continuing at the site, after which the skeletons and other archaeological finds will undergo further analysis. Researchers hope the work will provide a much clearer picture of the people who lived, and ultimately were buried, at Copenhagen’s medieval leprosy hospital.
Top Image: Archaeologist from the Copenhagen Museum excavating a skeletal skull from the ground Photo: Copenhagen Museum, Culture, Leisure and Citizens’ Services Administration, Municipality of Copenhagen
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