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#ThrowbackThursday St Mary Magdalen’s Hospital
This #ThrowbackThursday we will be looking at the excavations at St Mary Magdalen’s Hospital, Brook Street, Colchester
These rescue excavations occurred as part of the redevelopment of the site for social housing. Excavations took place in two stages. Site A, in St. Mary Magdalen’s churchyard, was examined in 1989, and Site B to the north of the churchyard, in 1995.
Excavations revealed the remains of a small medieval hospital and recorded the stages in its transition to a post-medieval almshouse. This religious institution was founded as a refuge for lepers. Its original accommodation included an infirmary hall and a timber outbuilding in grounds situated half a mile from the walled town.
In phase 1 of the site, the hospital was founded in the early 1100s, and it’s main accommodation was an infirmary hall. In phase 2, from the mid 13th century, the hospital’s main quarters were relocated, and a new accommodation was added. During phase 3, the hospital was re-founded as an almshouse (charitable housing – also known as a poorhouse) in 1610. The final phase (from the 19th century to 1995) saw the demolition and replacement of the almshouse and church 
In total, 234 graves were examined individually in the course of the excavations. 68 articulated skeletons from site were thoroughly investigated, and some showed abnormalities consistent with leprosy.
For more information about the St Mary Magdalen’s Hospital excavations check out CAT EAS Report 76 at: cat.essex.ac.uk
