500-Year-Old Skeleton Discovered Still Wearing Thigh-High Boots

A 500-year-old skeleton of a man wearing intact thigh-high boots was recently discovered by archaeologists in London’s River Thames.

The uncovering is prompting further investigation in the area as leather was so highly prized in Tudor times that it is unlikely the man was buried with his footwear, CNN reported. Add to that the evidence that the unidentified Londoner was entombed face-down in the mud and the likely conclusion is that he was either murdered or worked in extremely hazardous conditions.

A 500-year-old skeleton has been discovered face down in the mud under London's River Thames, with his thigh-high leather footwear remaining virtually intact. https://t.co/TNT8BNc1pw

— CNN International (@cnni) December 4, 2018

The man was probably under 35-years-old.

“By studying the boots we’ve been able to gain a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of a man who lived as many as 500 years ago,” said Beth Richardson, Finds Specialist at MOLA Headland. “They have helped us to better understand how he may have made his living in hazardous and difficult conditions, but also how he may have died. It has been a privilege to be able to study something so rare and so personal.”

The find was unearthed while scientists were conducting research for the “super sewer” of Bermondsey, south London.