The mystery of the hair in the coffin

In 1839 gravediggers at Romsey Abbey in Hampshire discovered a coffin containing an entire head of human hair.

It went on display, but no one could say to whom the scalp belonged. Now the hair is beginning to give up its secrets thanks to the work of archaeological scientists, including one, Jamie Cameron, who first saw it on a school trip as a boy.

Jon Manel reports on their discoveries for Broadcasting House.

(Photo: Human hair found at Romsey Abbey. Credit: BBC)