Curious Find at Shepton Mallet Sparks Investigation

Have Human Remains Been Discovered at the World’s Oldest Prison? Curious Find at Shepton Mallet Sparks Investigation

During a drainage sweep at Shepton Mallet Prison, known as The World’s Oldest Operating Prison until its closure, staff made a discovery that has sparked both curiosity and caution: a small bone, found deep within a drain in the exercise yard.

The item was uncovered alongside a collection of contraband, including makeshift weapons, drug paraphernalia, sharpened toothbrushes, bullet casings, and cigarette lighters – typical of what might be expected in a former working prison. But it was the small, weathered bone fragment that stopped the team in their tracks.

A Site Still Uncovering Its Stories

When Cove Attractions took over Shepton Mallet Prison, a full sweep was carried out to ensure the site was safe and free from hidden contraband that may have been hidden by inmates in the past. Despite this, there are still staff-only areas not accessible to the public where hidden treasures continue to be discovered. The recent find, located in a staff-only drainage area, is a reminder that the prison still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Located directly above the site of the original subterranean prison cells dating back centuries, the area has long held secrets. The team at Shepton Mallet Prison has now initiated a formal investigation to identify whether the bone is of human or animal origins.

“Every Brick Could Hold a Story”

“We fully expect the bone to be animal,” said a spokesperson for Cove Attractions, operators of Shepton Mallet Prison, “but with the incredible depth of history here, we have a duty to be thorough. This isn’t just any building. It’s the oldest prison in the UK, and every brick, corridor and drain could hold a story.”

The discovery underscores the layered, and at times chilling past of Shepton Mallet Prison, a site that has housed prisoners since 1610, served as a military detention facility during WWII, and been the site of executions and countless untold stories.

Small Bone, Big Questions

Cove Attractions, who operate the prison as a heritage attraction, are working closely with appropriate authorities to analyse the bone and expect results in due course. Meanwhile, the prison remains open to the public, offering Guided Tours, Ghost Tours, and immersive heritage experiences that bring the building’s history vividly to life.

Whether this latest discovery proves to be a piece of dark history or just a curious coincidence, it is a stark reminder of the prison’s depth of narrative and why Shepton Mallet continues to captivate visitors from around the world. Book now to uncover more history!