Two weeks ago archaeologist Diana King dug out a small inspection trench and found the skeleton.
She explained: “We were able to establish that it was an articulated burial, that is one which had not been disturbed before.”
She said pottery found in the area suggested it was a medieval grave.
The grave has been covered up but further archaeological work on the grave and the site will continue.
Mrs King, director of Foundations Archaeology, said: “More interestingly we have uncovered parts of a medieval wall which can still be seen.”
Area Dean of Reading, Canon Brian Shenton, in charge of Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin – one of the town’s few Grade I-listed buildings – had hoped the skeleton would prove to be both Saxon and female.
He said: “There was a convent on the site in Saxon times before the Minster was built and that might have meant the skeleton was one of the nuns.”
We will keep you posted on any new developments.
