What's Happening?
In 1956, an 11-year-old boy named George Box took a medieval floor tile and a human kneecap from an open tomb during a school trip to Glastonbury Abbey. The kneecap, a patella, was taken from one of the open graves during an archaeological excavation.
Box kept the items secret for nearly 70 years, eventually taking them to Australia. Before his death, Box decided the items should be returned to Glastonbury. The kneecap has now been returned, but the abbey staff are unsure of its original owner. The tombs in the area where the kneecap was taken belonged to abbots from the 13th century, but identifying the specific owner would require reopening the burials, which the abbey is not planning to do.
Why It's Important?
The return of the kneecap highlights issues of historical artifact preservation and the ethical considerations surrounding archaeological finds. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of historical sites and the challenges in managing artifacts taken without permission. The story also reflects on the personal responsibility individuals have in preserving cultural heritage. The return of the kneecap, albeit anonymous, adds another layer to the rich history of Glastonbury Abbey, a site with significant historical and cultural importance in Britain.
