Bedlam burial ground was established in 1569 to help parishes cope during outbreaks of plague
Remains of a former mayor of London as well as those of political activists could be unearthed when the excavation of a burial ground takes place.
The excavation is part of the Crossrail project which has identified thousands of victims buried at the Bedlam burial ground under Liverpool Street, London.
Names of people buried at the site include Sir Ambrose Nicholas, who was lord mayor of London in 1575.
Work to excavate 3,000 skeletons starts in March.
Other people identified as being buried at the site include Dr John Lamb, an astrologer and advisor to the First Duke of Buckingham.
Dr Lamb was said to have been stoned to death by an angry mob outside a theatre in 1628 following allegations of rape and black magic.
Others identified in the research, carried out by 16 volunteers and covering burials in the 16th and 17th Centuries, include victims of riots by "Fanatiques", as they were noted in the diaries of Samuel Pepys in January 1661.
Bedlam burial ground was established in 1569 to help parishes cope with overcrowding during outbreaks of plague and other epidemics.
