Ancient Skeletons Found Holding Hands in England

Archaeologists with the University of Leicester uncovered remains of two skeletons holding hands believed to have been resting that way for at least 700 years.

University of Leicester Archaeological Services has so far excavated 11 skeletons, dated to the 14th century by radiocarbon, under the "lost chapel of St. Morell," which overlooks the small village of Hallaton in Leicestershire, England.

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PHOTO: The man and woman were buried together in the same grave with their arms crossed together. Eleven skeletons have been uncovered so far, but the archaeologists believe there may be more.

The archaeologists, who said there are likely to be more skeletons in the ground, were not certain why the people were buried there rather than in the main church in the village. They said it was possibly a special place of burial for pilgrims.

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PHOTO: The skeletons, dating to the 14th century, have been dated by radiocarbon. Archaeologists believe the site may have been a special place of burial, possibly for pilgrims.

Among the other skeletons was an older male apparently killed by a sharp implement, such as a pole axe, to the head, according to Vicki Score, project manager for University of Leicester Archaeological Services. A young male was buried in a pit with his legs raised to his chest, which archaeologists said was possibly the result of a disease, she said.