Early evidence of body snatchers at a medieval burial ground in London

Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology have been excavating a burial ground site in London that was the final resting place for “plague victims, religious dissenters, and poor people” beginning in the 1500s. A particular burial from the early 18th century contained evidence the team considers having been intended to prevent “body snatching,” the practice of stealing corpses for illegal sale and trade. Such corpses were of interest in medical research and the illegal trade of corpses could be quite lucrative.

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Medieval London: Plague Grave Weighed Down with Stones and Sand Shows Fear of Body Snatchers

By Hannah Osborne

Newsweek

July 31, 2017