News
Seeing the Dead in Current Archaeology!
The Seeing the Dead project has been featured in an extended article in Current Archaeology, Issue 436 (July 2026).
Exceptional Seeing the Dead press coverage
The Seeing the Dead project has seen exceptional press coverage following our recent announcement of the discovery of Tyrian purple dye and gold thread fragments.
Archaeologists and scientists gathered for international workshop in York, April 2026
The University of York and York Museums Trust hosted an international workshop Seeing the Dead. New Insights into Roman Gypsum Burials in Yorkshire in April 2026.
Discovery of Tyrian Purple Textiles in Roman Gypsum Burials in York
A stunning discovery of Tyrian purple in the gypsum burials of Roman York sheds exciting light on the wealth and prestige of those employing such textiles in life and in death.
Analysis of chemicals associated with gypsum in Roman burial practices
Discover how our 'Substances in and on textiles' work package examines the chemicals that remain on the textile fragments and are ingrained in the gypsum itself.
Seeing the Dead at the UKAS Conference
The Seeing the Dead project was represented at the UKAS Conference in Bristol by post-doctoral research associates Dr Corrie Hyland and Dr Jennifer Wakefield.
First annual project workshop
The Seeing the Dead project's first annual workshop is due to take place on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th April 2026.
Investigating and interpreting archaeological textiles
Textile expert Dr Sarah Hitchens explains how the Seeing the Dead project will investigate the fascinating textiles that can be seen preserved in Roman gypsum burials.
Children among the dead in York’s gypsum burials
Prof. Maureen Carroll explores presence of children in the Roman gypsum burial casts examined by the Seeing the Dead project.
Fingerprints are a window into burial ritual in Roman York
Remarkable hand marks provide a unique insight into Roman funerary rites and the close contact between the deceased and those that engaged with them at the time of burial.
Excavating a Roman gypsum burial
We've begun work on one of the project's most intriguing burials - a surviving gypsum casing inside a Roman sarcophagus. Find out what we discovered during our initial investigations!
From Bone to Dietary History: Bone Collagen Extraction
Come join us in the lab! This post explains why we extract the protein collagen from archaeological bones and shows you the steps our researchers use to prepare samples for stable isotope analysis.
3D scanning Roman gypsum casts
See how the Roman gypsum casts will be captured as high-resolution digital models and how this will support the project's research going forward.
Tomb types chosen for the gypsum burial rite in York
Project lead Maureen Carroll explores the various types of Roman burial that contain gypsum casts.
Seeing the Dead project on YO1 Radio
Listen to Prof. Maureen Carroll's interview on YO1 Radio (from minute 25:50). Available until April 18th 2025. Access the interview...
Research Associate post in textile archaeology
Find out more about the Research Associate post in textile archaeology on the Seeing the Dead project.
BBC News article on Seeing the Dead
Check out the recent BBC News article on the Seeing the Dead project!
BBC News: Project to reveal secrets of Roman burial mystery
Mapping Roman gypsum burials in York and Yorkshire
Find out about the location of the Roman gypsum burials in our Yorkshire study area, and what we hope to uncover about the geographical significance of this burial practice in the region.
Introducing the project
The project investigates the remarkable Roman funerary custom in and around York in the 3rd/4th centuries CE of pouring liquid gypsum over the wrapped bodies of individuals in stone or lead coffins before burial. Find our more in this blog entry!
Post-doctoral research posts available!
Two post-doctoral research posts on the Seeing the Dead project are now being advertised.