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Archaeologists excavating a burial ground near Euston Station have found the remains of an explorer who led the first circumnavigation of Australia.

It had become an urban myth that Captain Matthew Flinders, who is credited with giving Australia its name, was buried under a platform at the London station.

So the discovery of his remains nearby thrilled experts who were not confident they would find them during the dig taking place where the station for the HS2 rail route will be built.

Flinders was buried in St James's burial ground on July 23, 1814. More than 200 years later, experts have now located him - identifying his remains by the breast plate on top of his coffin.

Who was Captain Matthew Flinders?

Captain Flinders was buried in St James's burial ground on July 23, 1814. More than 200 years later, experts have now located him, identifying his remains by the breast plate on top of his coffin.

The explorer made several significant journeys, notably as commander of HMS Investigator which he navigated around the entire coast of Australia. He was the first known person to do so, confirming it as a continent.

Flinders is also credited with giving Australia its name, although he was not the first to use the term, with his work popularising its use.

The captain’s surname is associated with many places in Australia, including Flinders Station in Melbourne, Flinders Ranges in South Australia and the town of Flinders in Victoria.

But the headstone marking his final resting place was removed following the expansion of Euston Station westwards into part of the burial ground in the 1840s.

It was thought his remains had been lost.

At the bicentenary of this death, a statue was unveiled by the Duke of Cambridge at Australia House and later installed at Euston Station.

It features Trim the cat, who was renowned for having sailed around the globe, as well as circumnavigating Australia during the voyages of exploration of his master, Captain Flinders.

Other notable people buried at St James's Bill "the Black Terror" Richmond: A slave born in New York who became a free Londoner and a celebrated bare-knuckle boxer. He was favoured by King George IV and taught Lord Byron to spar Lord George Gordon: A political and religious activist famous for his part in the anti-Catholic "Gordon Riots" of 178 James Christie: A British naval officer who became a leading auctioneer who founded Christie's auction house in 1766

Helen Wass, HS2 head of heritage, said: "The discovery of Captain Matthew Flinders' remains is an incredible opportunity for us to learn more about the life and remarkable achievements of this British navigator, hydrographer and scientist.

"Cpt Matthew Flinders put Australia on the map due to his tenacity and expertise as a navigator and explorer.

"Given the number of human remains at St James's, we weren't confident that we were going to find him.

"We were very lucky that Cpt Flinders had a breastplate made of lead, meaning it would not have corroded.

"We'll now be able to study his skeleton to see whether life at sea left its mark and what more we can learn about him.

Scientific study of human remains from the burial ground will improve understanding of health and disease, social status and lifestyle in London in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Captain Flinders will be reinterred with the buried population of St James's Gardens at a location to be announced, HS2 said.