AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL dig has started in York’s Fulford as preparations get under way to commemorate the 950th anniversary of the Battle of 1066.

The dig near Germany Beck is part of the Council for British Archaeology’s festival of archaeology and should expose more of the road and land surface from the time of the battle, said archaeologist Chas Jones.

“More fragments of bone and iron debris will be found to add to those recovered during 20 years investigating the battle’s location,” said Mr Jones, who has led a long campaign to prevent a 650-home development in the area.

The dig, involving four trenches, is just on the other side of the beck from a new access road which is being built into Persimmon Homes’ housing site.

Mr Jones said that when the dig ends on July 31, the site will be covered to protect it and prepared to allow visitors to inspect the battle surface. He said there would be free public access to the archaeology from 11am to 4pm daily in August, and he hopes there will be a ‘living history camp’.

He said the public was also invited to dig in August on the other side of Fordlands Road, which might uncover more footprints left in the soft clay that fringes the peat-filled, battle ditch.

He said event would be stepped up ahead of the battle anniversary on September 20. On Sunday, September 18, there would be a ‘best dressed Viking’ contest prior to a children’s battle re-enactment with some Viking leaders, on fields where the original battle was fought. The site would be open all day, with several battlefield walks planned.

On the anniversary date, a memorial will be dedicated near Fulford Road and there will be a midday walk around the battlefield.

The following day, a ‘brainstorm conference’ was planned, probably at Fulford Social Hall, which would be open to everyone and would ask the question: “Where did the 1066 battles actually take place?” and this would be followed by a themed poetry and music evening in Fulford.

He said that on the weekend of September 24 and 25, the focus would switch to Stamford Bridge to mark the 950th anniversary of the town’s battle, which preceded the Battle of Hastings. Events there include a battle re-enactment and a warriors' feast.