Analysis of bones identifies six medieval bishops.

Whithorn Priory is about to celebrate its first century as a site of such importance to Scotland that it is held in state care.

Its archaeological significance was highlighted this week by news that archaeologists had used the latest scientific techniques to identify the skeletons of six medieval bishops.

The full results of the project will be published in 2008 to mark the centenary.

Peter Yeoman, senior archaeologist with Historic Scotland, said: “Whithorn has an immensely important place in our country’s history, being regarded as the cradle of Christianity.

“The priory was among the first historic sites to be regarded as so important that it should fully protected by being taken into state care.

“Historic Scotland is proud to look after the priory, and its collection of early Christian carved stones, on behalf of the nation.

“The centenary is a chance to look back at what has been achieved and ahead to a future in which we hope Whithorn continues to thrive as a visitor attraction.

“At the same time I would like to thank all those, such as the Whithorn Trust and the many archaeologists and historians, who have done so much to increase our understanding and appreciation of the priory, the stones, and the rich heritage of the surrounding area.”

The Whithorn Stones, which include the country’s earliest Christian monument – the fifth century Latinus Stone – were taken into national guardianship even earlier than the priory, in the 1890s.

A special museum was created to house these national treasures.

Historic Scotland has recently invested in improved visitor facilities and fresh archaeological research.

Two years ago the museum was refurbished and has since won an award for its new presentation of the stones.

Throughout the past year Historic Scotland has been carrying out new analysis of skeletons discovered during excavations in the 1950s and 1960s.

This led to the successful identification of the remains of bishops of Whithorn who died between 1200-1360.

It proved possible to work out when the men died, where they came from and even what they ate.

Mr Yeoman said: “We are absolutely delighted by the results from this project.

“It is remarkable to be able to put likely names to people who died more than 600 years ago.

“This has been a rare opportunity to build up a picture of life and death among Scotland’s rich and powerful churchmen of the Middle Ages.”

A variety of techniques were used to identify the eight bishops.

In four cases radiocarbon dating of the bones provided vital evidence as it gave precise information about when the people had died.

This was a huge advance from the 50s and 60s.

At that time the graves were identifiable as those of senior ecclesiastical figures but being more exact was fraught with problems.

Mr Yeoman said: “Very fine gilded altar vessels, a gold pontifical ring, and the remains of a wooden crozier were found with the skeleton in the central grave, all of which showed he was a bishop.

“But it was only when we had the radiocarbon dating that we were able to say it was probably bishop Henry who died in 1293, who had been important in rebuilding parts of the priory after it was raided and damaged by soldiers in 1286.”

Analysis also showed that Henry had been suffering from tooth abscesses.

While some mysteries were solved others have emerged.

The bishops were in an especially holy area in front of the high altar and close to the shrine of St Ninian – the man credited with bringing Christianity to what later became Scotland.

Divine grace radiating from his relics was thought to help wash away the sins of anyone who came into contact with it.

Mr Yeoman said: “To be buried in that spot was a very special privilege and largely for senior churchmen.

“It was like being put on the expressway to heaven, that would take you straight through purgatory.

“But one of the skulls belonged to a man who had a severe cleft palate and who would have had a serious speech impediment.

“It’s hard to imagine he would have been able to carry out the functions of a bishop, such as preaching sermons, in that era.

“So, who was he to have been awarded such an honoured burial place?”

The finds made during the excavation are all in the collections of National Museums Scotland.

Dr David Caldwell, National Museums Scotland keeper of Scotland and Europe, said; “This is a very important piece of research and the museums are happy to be working with Historic Scotland on this project.

“This research is revealing new information about some of the key items relating to the bishops.”

Keeping the finds in storage, to minimise deterioration, kept them safe while research techniques advanced and may mean that future archaeologists will be able to learn even more from them.

Dr Chris Lowe, director of Headland Archaeology Ltd, said “It is tremendous to be able to use modern techniques to analyse the skeletons excavated by an earlier generation of archaeologists.

“The insights we have gained represent a very important step forward in our understanding of the lives and lifestyles of our medieval ancestors.

“Back in the 1960s it would have been difficult to imagine that it would one day be possible to identify the people whose graves they had excavated, let alone work out where they came from, what they ate and the diseases they suffered from.”

Bones identify six medieval bishops