 Two ancient skeletons have been discovered in a 'lost' chapel by archaeologists, who say the couple were unearthed holding hands and have been for at least 700 years. The Mercury reported last week that the remains, of a man and a woman, were found at the Chapel of St Morrell, an ancient site of pilgrimage in Hallaton. This leads us to wonder if the chapel could have served as some sort of special place of burial at the time.” 
 
 The dig, by Hallaton Fieldwork Group volunteers, has been taking place for two weeks a year for the past four years. Related content Two 1,000-year-old skeletons holding hands found by archaeologists in Leicestershire 
 
 Leading the project is professional archaeologist Vicky Score, of the University of Leicester, who works on the project during her holidays. Carbon-dating on the nine skeletons uncovered since the dig began had revealed them to be from the 14th century, she told the Leicester Mercury. It is believed the pair holding hands are of a similar age. The skeletons have been removed to the university for further investigation. Roman archaeology found beneath the medieval chapel suggests that the hilltop, which is the starting point for the Hare Pie Scramble and Bottle Kicking, has been a special place for over 2000 years. The chapel was located after research by local historian John Morrison. He said: "Antiquarians over the ages have referred to a chapel somewhere in Hallaton." ULAS 
 
 Among the other skeletons was an older male apparently killed by a sharp implement, such as a pole axe, to the head, according to Vicki Score, project manager for University of Leicester Archaeological Services. A young male was buried in a pit with his legs raised to his chest, which archaeologists said was possibly the result of a disease, she said.
– Archaeologists in England digging at a 14th-century burial site made an unexpected discovery: A couple buried together holding hands had remained that way all this time, reports ABC News. The man and woman were found at the site of an ancient chapel in Hallaton, along with nine other skeletons, reports the Leicester Mercury. The couple appear to be the same age, but scientists plan further study to see whether they can determine the cause of death. They also hope to determine why the bodies were buried at this particular site, quite a distance away from a "perfectly good church in Hallaton," says a lead researcher from the University of Leicester. Leading theories are that the burial site was used for those who were either sick, criminals, or foreign pilgrims. One man at the site apparently died of a head wound, perhaps from a pole ax in battle, while another had his legs raised to his chest, possibly because of a disease of some kind. Researchers hope further work at the chapel can fill in a gap of about 500 years when not much is known about what went on in the region, reports the International Business Times. (Another recent archaeological discovery sheds light on the brutal way Richard III died.)