York 800: Digging for secrets beneath York’s corridors of power (From York Press)

York 800: Digging for secrets beneath York’s corridors of power

7:50am Saturday 21st January 2012 in York 800 news

Summer 2012 will see, as part of York 800, an archaeological dig for the first time in the Guildhall yard, basements of the Mansion House, and the south side of the Guildhall.

It is also hoped to have an exploratory trench along Common Hall Lane, which runs down to the River Ouse.

York Archaeological Trust will be on site from 30 July for six weeks. The exploratory dig will be open for public viewing, and it is hoped that finds will eventually be displayed at The Guildhall.

Residents and visitors will also be able to see the recent vertical survey and imaging of the Guildhall which was carried out by the York Archaeological Trust.

Richard Pollitt, City of York Council’s manager of the Mansion House, Guildhall, and civic services, explained: ‘In this year of York 800, it seems very fitting to be able to host a dig at the principal seat of local democracy in York.

‘The excavation will establish dates of the basements of the Mansion House, land levels around the Guildhall and river frontages which could hold well preserved waterlogged deposits. There is the potential to detect structures that existed in the yard and adjoining areas such as kitchens, a brew house, stables and so on. Hopefully we’ll be able to date any evidence to establish the sequences in which the area developed.’