"Much of the published bioarchaeological research on the has been done using samples from the in London. The location, purpose, and dimensions of East Smithfield are recorded in historical documents. Reports of the Black Death preceded its arrival in London, and East Smithfield was established in anticipation of the high mortality that would result in the city (Grainger et al. 2008, Hawkins 1990). The Black Death arrived in 1349 and lasted in London until 1350; East Smithfield was used only during the Black Death, so most, if not all, of the people buried there were victims of the disease. East Smithfield was partially excavated in the 1980s as part of the larger Royal Mint site, and more than 600 individuals interred in single burials or mass burial trenches were excavated from the cemetery."