The Crypt at St Leonard's Church in Hythe, England

The Crypt at St Leonard's Church in Hythe, England

This ossuary was first assembled in the 1670s.

It is believe to hold the bones of 2000 deceased persons who lived from the 13th to the 15th century.

There have been many theories as to who the people were and how they came to be resting in the crypt, although none of these have been proved to be true.

A 1787 drawing stated in a footnote that the bones were supposed to be those of 'Danish pirates slain in a battle' whilst a handwritten footnote on an 1860s illustration referred to them as 'men who fell in the Battle of Hastings (1066)'

A number of the skulls indicate breakages and injury, whilst others have evidence of disease from deficiencies and infection.

The bones were originally stored in preparation for new graves.

Daily Mail UK Article.