Regular updates from Blackfriars, Leicester
Wardell Armstrong Archaeology is currently excavating at Blackfriars in Leicester, where Watkin Jones are developing the site for student accommodation.
The aim is to ensure that information about the excavation is put into the public domain and that the local community, as well as the wider public, have an opportunity to share in this interesting archaeological project.
All Blackfriars site updates »
Archaeological evaluation by trial trenching was undertaken at the site in 2007 and 2010 and the results of the evaluation suggested the presence of a substantial length of Roman defences within the site. In addition the evaluation provided possible evidence of Iron Age defences preceding those of the Roman period. Evidence of timber framed buildings of the Roman period was also found within the development site.
The site revealed an area of medieval industrial features located on the banks of the River Soar. The features included two large pits containing waterlogged timbers and a probable cess pit.
The combined evidence recovered from the trial trenching indicates continuity of activity on the spot from at least the Iron Age to the medieval period.
The current excavations at Blackfriars, which are required to discharge a planning condition and which have to be completed prior to development commencing, are intended to expand upon the information gained during the earlier trial trenching programme and to provide a permanent record of the archaeology of the site.
Regular updates from Blackfriars
Watkin Jones who are developing the site for student accommodation, are funding the excavation and in agreement with the City Archaeologist will be sending out regular updates on the progress of the excavation and on the finds which are being recovered via
The aim is to ensure that information on the excavation is put into the public domain and that the local community, as well as the wider public, have an opportunity to share in this interesting archaeological project.
