Explore Rothwell's eerie BONE STORE that contains the remains of 2,500 people who perished in the 13th century

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The eerie 13th century 'bone store' in Rothwell is the haunting resting place of around 2,500 nameless dead - their skeletons stacked one on top of another on shelves and in piles.

The damp skeleton chamber lies beneath the Holy Trinity church in Northamptonshire, and is thought to be one of only two medieval charnel houses in England that still have their original human remains.

Now, researchers at Sheffield University have scanned and recreated the bone store so anyone can take a 3D tour of the mysterious site from the comfort of their own home. 

The eerie 13th century 'bone store' in Rothwell is the haunting resting place of around 2,500 nameless dead - their skeletons stacked one on top of another on shelves and in piles

The model includes an image of a skull rack – which is a wall lined with human skulls – that is usually hidden to visitors because the building is so packed with bones, according to The Guardian.

'Rothwell charnel chapel is a site of major international significance,' Lizzy Craig-Atkins, an archaeologist and leader of the Sheffield University research project, told the Guardian,

'Surviving charnel chapels, with human remains still housed inside, are very rare in England.

'What is so fascinating about the Rothwell charnel chapel is that it presents an ideal archaeological resource for researchers to use to advance our understanding of how the remains of the dead were treated during the medieval period.

'This new digital resource provides an opportunity for people all over the world to explore the site and helps us to preserve this fascinating window into the past for future generations.'

Shown here is a reconstructed model of the bone store in Rothwell.  The digital resource provides an opportunity for people all over the world to explore the site

Research suggests the crypt, which looks like something from a Hollywood horror film set, was a medieval monument for pilgrims and villagers who prayed among the bones of their ancestors.

Charnel chapels were built at some churches in medieval England to house bones that were disturbed while digging new graves

Analysis of the site has been hampered by issues of access and preservation. The digital model (screenshot pictured) is hoped to combat this.

The chapels were generally well-lit and accessible, and most likely provided a location for pilgrims and locals to pray for the souls of the dead while among their physical remains

Charnel chapels were built at some churches in medieval England to house bones that were disturbed while digging new graves.

The chapels were generally well-lit and accessible, and most likely provided a location for pilgrims and locals to pray for the souls of the dead while among their physical remains.

They were thought to be relatively uncommon in medieval England, however archaeologists from the University of Sheffield have identified up to 60 potential charnel chapel sites throughout the UK.

Rothwell charnel chapel is the most complete surviving example with medieval remains.

It was re-discovered in 1700 by accident when a grave digger fell into the bone house and came across the skeletons.

Rothwell charnel chapel is the most complete surviving example with medieval remains. It was re-discovered in 1700 by accident when a grave digger fell into the bone house and came across the skeletons

However, analysis of the site has been hampered by issues of access and preservation. The digital model is hoped to combat this.

Dr Steve Maddock from the University's Department of Computer Science, said: 'This fascinating project presented us with some unique challenges in creating the model, with important lessons learnt for future cultural heritage projects.'

The Rothwell Charnel Chapel Project has also been the subject of several student research projects at the University of Sheffield and the site is a core component of a recently-completed University of Sheffield PhD.

Schoolboy Oliver De Marco-Payne views the bones and skulls in the crypt13th century charnel chapel 'bone crypt' beneath the Holy Trinity Church

For instance, villagers have long believed the disarticulated skeletons at the Holy Trinity Church were victims of the plague or soldiers from the nearby battle of Naseby.

But new research suggests the crypt, which looks like something from a Hollywood horror film set, was a medieval monument for pilgrims and villagers who prayed among the bones of their ancestors. 

The charnel house is usually open to visitors one Sunday afternoon a month.

The damp skeleton chamber lies beneath the Holy Trinity church in Northamptonshire, and is thought to be one of only two medieval charnel houses in England that still have their original human remains