The Scottish Soldiers Project has shed new light on a centuries-old mystery surrounding the last resting place of soldiers who died after being captured and imprisoned in Durham Cathedral and Castle during the 17th Century civil wars.

Archaeologists at Durham University carried out scientific analysis on skeletons discovered in two mass graves on Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site in November 2013. In September 2015 the project team was able to conclude that 'the only plausible' explanation was that the skeletons were those of Scottish soldiers captured by English forces following the Battle of Dunbar in September 1650 and taken to Durham on the orders of Oliver Cromwell.

Over the next three years, Durham University led an in-depth research project to learn more about the soldiers, both through scientific analysis of their remains, and far-reaching documentary research.

In May 2018 the remains of the soldiers were laid to rest in Durham, less than a mile from where they were originally found.

These pages provide a wealth of information about the project. If you wish to contact the project team please email scottish.soldiers@durham.ac.uk

More...