Remains of 'vile' dungeon found under market

University of Leicester archaeologists have been working on the site since July

The remains of a medieval dungeon have been uncovered during an archaeological dig under Leicester's market place.

Experts said they believed they had found the prison which was attached to the former Gainsborough Chamber - a landmark civic building first mentioned in records in the 16th Century.

The dig is being carried out as part of a £7.5m project by Leicester City Council to create a new market square.

The University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) said it had also found the grave of a Roman infant beneath the floor of a timber building thought to be nearly 1,800 years old.

ULAS began work on the city centre site in July and archaeologists said they had identified the earliest medieval market surfaces, a stone-lined well, as well as Gainsborough Chamber.

A city council spokesperson said: "A high-status civic building, the chamber served as a venue for judicial proceedings, mayoral business, feasting and celebrations, until its demolition in around 1748.

"Its newly uncovered thick stone walls highlight the Gainsborough Chamber's architectural significance and civic importance."

According to a book about medieval Leicester, written by historian Charles Billson, one of the prisoners interned in the dungeon in 1533 wrote: "Master Mayor sent me forthwith to a most vile prison called the Gaynsborrow, then offered to put gives and fetters upon my legs and so to lye upon hard planks without bed or straw and without company or comfort."

The dig also found traces of the old medieval market and some stalls

Dr Gavin Speed, who is leading the ULAS dig, said: "Leicester is one of the most archaeologically explored cities in the country, yet this particular area has remained relatively untouched - until now.

"The redevelopment of the market square has given us a rare opportunity to investigate what lies beneath this important site.

"We anticipated finding evidence of Roman occupation, as the market place sits in what would have been the south-east corner of Roman Leicester, but the discoveries have surpassed our expectations.

"Our excavations have revealed the well-preserved remains of two Roman buildings."

Dr Speed said the body of the infant was likely to have been buried about 1,900 years ago.

He added: "This poignant discovery offers a glimpse into the lives - and deaths - of Leicester's Roman inhabitants.

"Over time, the memory of this burial was lost, as a later Roman building, this time constructed in stone, was built directly over the earlier timber house.

"Associated with this later phase, we have uncovered Roman tesserae - the small stone cubes used in mosaics - as well as pottery, coins and items of jewellery.

"These finds help us piece together the daily life and economy of Roman Leicester."

'Archaeological cake'

Dr Speed said the dig had also identified thick soil layers dating to the Anglo-Saxon era, which would be studied to try to show how people continued to live among the ruins of the former Roman city.

"Remarkably, just below the modern ground surface, we have discovered the earliest medieval market place," he said.

"This consisted of compacted pebbles, overlain by silts and successive resurfacing layers.

"It's like looking at a slice through an archaeological cake.

"We can see multiple market surfaces, each representing a different generation and some 800 years of market activity.

"We have even identified traces of former medieval market stalls, preserved as post-holes."

The medieval cobbles will be recorded and studied before being paved over again

Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the square would be repaved and ready for traders by the end of 2026.

He said the archaeological discoveries would not impact on the wider scheme and he hoped some of the finds would eventually go on public display.

"Before the market square is paved in porphyry for the future, it's important that we take the opportunity to learn as much as we can about its past," he said.

"We're very fortunate to have the expertise of ULAS in the city.

"The work of their archaeologists is showing how this key site has been in use for thousands of years, with everyone from the Romans to the Victorians leaving traces of their existence behind them.

"ULAS will continue to work alongside our contractors to extract as much information from the site as they can."