Road works halted after medieval discovery

Medieval items were found during road resurfacing works in Richmond

Medieval animal bones and clothing have been uncovered during road resurfacing work in a market town.

North Yorkshire Council’s highways team made the discovery in Richmond's market place, and have suspended their work while archaeologists examine the area.

JB Archaeology, which is working at the site, has found nine pits believed to be medieval, with one containing leather from clothing and shoes, as well as the bones of sheep and pigs.

Experts also found the remains of walls and building foundations which could be linked to Richmond Castle.

Peter Rowe, principal archaeologist at North Yorkshire Council, said: "The market place may have originally formed the outer bailey of the castle, which might explain its unusual, semi-circular shape.

“It has remained the heart of the town from the medieval period onwards and the centre of trade and manufacture.

"The archaeological features revealed include fragments of former structures alongside pits for waste disposal.

“The remains are particularly significant as they are waterlogged, meaning that organic items, which would normally rot away, have survived.

“These include wooden objects such as stakes, strips of leather, and a variety of animal bones including a dog burial.”

Experts have founds clothing, shoes, animal bones - and the remnants of walls and foundations

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Keane Duncan, said the road works had been suspended to allow for the dig to continue.

Work had been due for completion by Monday.

Duncan said: “This is an incredibly fascinating and unexpected discovery for us in the cobbled market place of Richmond, which boasts a long and rich history.

“We have rightly halted our highways works to allow the archaeologists to carry out a thorough search of the area and see what further secrets they uncover beneath the road.

“We appreciate this is delaying the resurfacing works taking place on the route through the town centre and apologise for the inconvenience this is causing.

“Our teams have been working over the weekend to complete the search as quickly as possible.”

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