Over 4,500 graves uncovered at hospital archaeological dig in Bristol!
Excavations at the historic Blackberry Hill Hospital site in Stapleton, Bristol, have brought to light the lives of individuals who lived, struggled, and died at this significant location over centuries. This dig has revealed more than 4,500 unmarked graves, providing a window into the past hardships and resilience of Bristol’s residents.
Photo Credit: Cotswold Archaeology
From Prison to Hospital: A Site with a Complex Past
Between 2018 and 2023, archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology led an excavation at Blackberry Hill, funded by Vistry Group, as part of redevelopment preparations for housing. Initially established in the late 18th century, the site served as a prisoner-of-war camp known as Stapleton Prison, housing captured sailors from Britain’s conflicts with France, Spain, Holland, and the United States.
As Richard Leaman, Diocesan Secretary of the Diocese of Bristol, highlighted, this site is one of the earliest examples of a British prisoner-of-war camp, even predating the well-known Norman Cross camp. The prison’s role ended with the close of the Napoleonic Wars, and from then, the site’s purpose shifted several times, each transition reflecting the changing needs of Bristol’s society.
The Shift to Healthcare: Tackling Cholera and Poverty
In 1832, as cholera swept across the UK, claiming tens of thousands of lives, the site was converted into a hospital to help manage the spread of the disease. This transformation was brief; by 1837, the institution became the Stapleton Workhouse, a facility meant to house Bristol’s poorest. Unfortunately, the workhouse experience was often far from compassionate, marked by overcrowding and poor conditions.
The stark realities faced by the workhouse residents – largely the impoverished, neglected, and unwell – inspired social critique in Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist, which famously captured the harsh existence within Victorian workhouses. This archaeological work has uncovered over 4,500 unmarked graves, most of which date back to this workhouse period, providing a sober reminder of the grim conditions that many endured.
Photo Credit: Cotswold Archaeology
A Respectful Memorial to Those Who Came Before
Conducted with full respect under a Burial Licence from the Ministry of Justice and a Faculty from the Diocese of Bristol, the excavation has handled these graves with care, ensuring that the individuals they represent are remembered with dignity. The remains will be reburied with a memorial to honour those who lived and died in hardship, and a final ceremony will take place as part of this respectful reburial process.
Uncovering Life in 19th-Century Bristol
Ongoing analysis of the remains and personal artefacts aims to uncover more about life, health, and mortality in 19th-century Bristol. The findings from these studies may confirm whether some of the burials belong to the original prisoners, adding further layers to this site’s complex history.
The site at Blackberry Hill is a poignant reminder of Bristol’s evolving history in public health, social welfare, and incarceration. Excavations are ongoing, with Cotswold Archaeology set to publish their findings in 2026, promising to further enrich our understanding of Bristol’s past and the lives of those who shaped it.