Students to get digging again at Bradgate Park site
Public invited to discover more about historic finds
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have returned to Bradgate Park until the beginning of July with their fourth season of excavations.
Aiming to uncover the hidden history of this attraction, the Bradgate Park Fieldschool is a fiveyear programme of research.
The public are invited to learn about the discoveries at a free open day this summer.
Project co-director Dr Richard Thomas, from the University of Leicester’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History, said: “Excavations over the past three years have shown that people have been coming to Bradgate Park for a very long time.
“We now have evidence for Ice Age hunting, about 14,500 years ago, Mesolithic hunting, between 6,000 and 9,000 years ago, Bronze Age occupation, and a 13th to 14th century hunting lodge.
“Our most surprising find, however, has been the discovery of buildings pre-dating the brick structures of Bradgate House.
“While Bradgate House is such an iconic site, very little is known about the standing structure and its date. Our evidence suggests the home of Lady Jane Grey may have looked very different from what we see today.
“Our fourth season of excavations will help us to better understand the changing appearance of Bradgate House.
“We will also be exploring a large rectangular building to the south of Bradgate House, visible in aerial photographs and 18th century drawings.
“We think this could be a stable block, built for the visit of King William III, or a gatehouse.”
The fieldschool includes a programme delivered to primary and secondary schools enabling them to visit the excavations.
Outreach officer Debbie Miles-Williams said: “The outreach programme is designed to raise awareness of our research and inspire young and old to engage with their heritage and archaeology.”
Members of the public are invited to learn about the latest discoveries at Bradgate Park during the open day on Sunday, July 1, between 11am and 4pm.
Visitors will be able to speak to the archaeologists involved and see some of the objects that have been found.
They can also take a site tour, discover treasure in dig boxes, meet a medieval knight and the Victorian lady and her hawk, watch medieval tile-making, building techniques, weaving demonstrations and more.