A hidden medieval Jewish cemetery has been discovered beneath London's Barbican Estate, which was destroyed during World War II following attacks by Nazi Germany.
Researchers estimate that the cemetery was in use for about 200 years, from the time Jews first arrived in England until their expulsion in 1290 following a decree by King Edward I. The cemetery was later neglected and the headstones were desecrated and eventually forgotten. It was the only area where Jews were allowed to bury their dead during that period.
The excavations are part of a special project by the Jewish Square Mile organization and are being conducted near the remnants of the ancient City of London Wall, originally built by the Romans and later rebuilt and expanded during the Middle Ages. The Jewish cemetery, which was active around 1,000 years ago, was likely the first Jewish burial site in England.
The cemetery was in use for about 200 years, from the time Jews first arrived in England until their expulsion in 1290 following a decree by King Edward I
"The burial ground existed as a rumor, a legend. Now the ancient burial ground has been found," Howard Morris, who with his wife, Gabby, is a member of the Jewish Square Mile project, told the British Jewish newspaper Jewish News, "Gabby and I heard the story when we moved into the Barbican."
"The goal of the Jewish Square Mile project is to rediscover those people, their lives and the contribution they made to the city," he said.
In 1969, the Barbican residential estate was opened on the vacant site. The Barbican became a brutalist architecture treasure that attracted visitors from around the world, and below it lies the ancient Jewish cemetery.
The Jewish Square Mile organization aims to "help show the impact and contribution of Jewish Londoners then and since, and in so doing move on from the stereotypes of medieval Jews like Isaac and Rebecca in Ivanhoe or Shylock, as usurers," the organization told the outlet.
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