Huge archaeology breakthrough as 1,500-year-old medieval hall discovered in UK town
Archaeologists from the University of York are now excavating the site at Skipsea in East Yorkshire, where the medieval structure was found.
A 1,500-year-old medieval timber hall has been found in a major breakthrough for archaeologists working at a historic site.
Archaeologists from the University of York are now excavating the site at Skipsea in East Yorkshire, where the ancient structure was found close to the site of a Norman castle.
Skipsea was found to have historical significance a decade ago when archaeologists, Dr Jim Leary and Dr Elaine Jamieson, discovered a huge Iron Age mound unique to Britain at the time.
The discovery was thought to be a castle motte, but radiocarbon dating showed that the earthen mound existed 1,500 years before the Norman Conquest.
Now, recent excavations of the surrounding area, where only the motte now survives, have revealed a long timber hall, likely older than the castle, and substantial in size at five metres wide and 16 metres long, surrounded by a ditched enclosure.
The site of the building is now marked out and ready to be excavated fully. Once this is complete, experts say it is likely to be revealed that it was an area of some importance, given its size, and perhaps a place where lords greeted visitors and feasts were held.
Dr Jim Leary, from the University of York’s department of archaeology, said: “The unearthing of timber buildings dating to the period between the collapse of the Roman Empire and the arrival of the Vikings, a time often referred to as the Dark Ages, is an incredibly rare and significant find.
“The discovery at Skipsea is particularly interesting because we know that the area was in the hands of the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, Harald Godwinson, and then later, after the Norman Conquest of 1066, it became the estate centre of the Lords of Holderness.”
The excavation will continue throughout May and first year archaeology students from the University of York will be joining the team to uncover more of its history.
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Dr Elaine Jamieson, from the same university department, said there was a general lack of written records of the area adding that the latest discovery could provide fresh insight.
She said: "This era, characterised by a general lack of written records, saw the rise and fall of local warlords free from Roman influence or control.
“The discovery of these structures provides a unique window into this little-known period of history, underscoring the importance and excitement of our ongoing excavations.”