Archaeological Discoveries in Leicester Market Square
Recently, British archaeologists made some intriguing finds beneath a busy market, including the remnants of what some are calling a “scary” dungeon. An official from the University of Leicester shared these discoveries in a press release on September 23, highlighting the “extraordinary evidence of two thousand years of human activity” in the Leicester market.
This exciting excavation happened alongside a construction team working on the redevelopment of the market square.
Unearthing Ancient Roman Fragments
One of the standout discoveries was the tomb of a Roman infantryman, nestled beneath the floor of an ancient timber building dated to around 1,800 years ago. The university’s announcement mentioned this find as particularly moving.
In addition, the team stumbled upon a rare Roman ceramic dish, which could shed light on the domestic life and industries of Leicester during Roman times.
Gavin Speed, who led the excavation, noted that they uncovered various artifacts, such as ceramics, coins, gems, and even some evidence of Anglo-Saxon settlers living among Roman layers. However, the ruins of the dungeon from the 16th century, once referred to as “the most vulgar prison,” caught many off guard.
“You can see the surface of multiple markets, each representing a different generation and market activity over approximately 800 years,” said Speed.
According to him, the dungeon was likely part of the Gainsborough Room, which first appeared in historical records in 1533. This room functioned for judicial activities, mayoral duties, and celebrations until it was demolished around 1748.
A Unique Opportunity for Discovery
Speed remarked that the redevelopment of Market Square presents a rare chance to explore beneath this important location. Leicester, one of the UK’s most archaeologically-rich cities, had this area largely untouched until now.
While they expected to find Roman influences—given the market’s position at the southeast corner of Leicester—what they uncovered was beyond what they had anticipated.
Speed described the excavation as akin to “slicing through an archaeological cake,” revealing layers of activity spanning eight centuries. They even found remnants of medieval market stalls, preserved as postholes.
“We hope that some of the remarkable discoveries of archaeologists will be on display for the public to enjoy,” he added.
Leicester Mayor Peter Soulsby emphasized the importance of understanding the city’s history. “We’re fortunate to have the insights of urban ULAS. Their work elucidates how this vital site has been utilized for thousands of years,” he stated.
According to Speed, ULAS will keep collaborating with contractors to gather as much information as possible, with hopes of displaying notable findings for public enjoyment.
Interestingly, just 91 miles south of York, archaeologists have also uncovered the remains of a medieval hospital similar to this site. Earlier in June, a sinkhole in York revealed St. Leonard’s Hospital, constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries.
