prison hulks

Below Dug into beach shingle, the graves held relatively well preserved human remains contained in wooden coffins. The bones of nine individuals were recovered during the recent excavation.

Exercise Magwitch and the prisoners of Rat Island

Popular legend has long told of the presence of graves on an island in Portsmouth Harbour, holding the remains of convicted criminals or Napoleonic-era prisoners of war. In the wake of severe storms that exposed human remains below the cliff, would archaeological investigation confirm the tale? Richard Osgood reports.