Mysterious Double Coffin Uncovered Near Burial Site of King Richard III

Tucked away in a hastily-dug grave, King Richard III lay decomposing for hundreds of years until archaeologists discovered him under a parking lot in Leicester. Now, just months after the announcement of the surprising discovery, scientists have uncovered a second coffin in the area that once boasted a monastery.

Only this one has an added level of mystery, according to the researchers working on the site, who, after carefully excavating the coffin, lifted its lid to find yet another coffin underneath -- something, they say, unlike anything they've ever seen before.

As the first fully intact stone coffin to be discovered in Leicester during controlled excavations, the researchers believe it may contain one of the friary's founders or a medieval monk. However, as to why the person was buried in a second lead coffin is unclear.

The team has since transported the latter to the University of Leicester's School of Archaeology and Ancient History where they will carry out tests to determine the safest way of opening it without damaging the contents. Exposed, however, are a pair of feet in the bottom of the casket.

The researchers believe the grave likely belonged to one of three prestigious figures known to be born in the area, including two leaders of the English Grey Friars order -- Peter Swynsfeld, who died in 1272, and William of Nottingham, who died in 1330 -- or a knight referred to in records dating back to the time as Mutton, "sometime mayor of Leicester."

This last character may be the 14th century knight Sir William de Moton of Peckleton, who died between 1356 and 1362.

Going forward, the team said they plan on using extreme care as they attempt to gather more information on the coffin and the remains within it.

"None of us in the team have ever seen a lead coffin within a stone coffin before," site director Mathew Morris, of the University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS), said in a press release. "We will now need to work out how to open it safely, as we don't want to damage the contents when we are opening the lid.