British archaeologists from Bournemouth University made a significant discovery recently, uncovering medieval gravestones during an exploration near an ancient shipwreck.

The announcement, detailed in a press release last Friday, revealed that the Purbeck marble slabs had been resting on the seabed of Studland Bay, off Dorset’s coast, for about 800 years.

These artifacts were part of the cargo of England’s oldest historic shipwreck, which sank during the reign of Henry III in the thirteenth century.

Despite being adorned with barnacles, the slabs were remarkably well-preserved. Maritime archaeologists dedicated over two hours to retrieve them from the depths last Tuesday, Fox News reported.

These heavy gravestones, weighing approximately 70 kilograms and 200 kilograms respectively, were likely destined for revered members of the clergy in medieval English society.

Written by B.C. Begley