After closer inspection of the lid of the fourth-century sarcophagus, decorated with a large carved cross later shown to be a modification of the original lid, experts determined the remains could be those of a high-ranking monk who died centuries later.
The latest developments, discovered by Professor Warwick Rodwell and his team, reveal that the skeleton is likely to belong to a man who was around 5ft 9in and died between the ages of 35 and 49.
Dr Rodwell believes the monk was likely Aelfwig, a prominent 11th-century Abbot at Westminster Abbey, or his successor, another abbot named Wulnoth.
The professor explained: “We do not know the date of birth of either.”
