They were pretty certain that this was the site of The Grey Friars, a Franciscan
Friary and Church which had been destroyed during the Dissolution of the
Monasteries in the 16th Century. Sure enough they unearthed evidence
and this weekend we, the public, were invited to see it for ourselves.
We had to queue...
But the sun was shining, people were chatty and excited and before we knew it we were in. This was our very own Archaeologist for the visit.
He showed us the trenches and explained what they were able
to deduce from their findings...
They had, as yet, found no bones but they had found some
floor tiles...
...and the imprint of where those tiles would have been...
They've unearthed the foundations of narrow passages which
would have been the cloister and of a wall with a buttress which was the Church. We
had to use lots of imagination. No doubt when the report is shown on the TV
there’ll be stunning projections of what the Friary would have looked like, but
for me that won’t be anywhere near as exciting as being on the site, seeing the
process and speaking with one of the archaeologists. It made it feel even more
real than any TV projection possibly could.
It will be great if they do find Richard III’s bones but the dig isn’t quite over yet so... watch this space!
It's hotting up! I see there are houses nearby - he's probably under one of those.
ReplyDeleteI trained as an archaeologist and there's nothing quite like being on a site. It looks interesting. I've been following the news reports about it.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to be right there...can you imagine the excitement on site if they do find his bones?
ReplyDeleteHow exciting - do tell us what they find!
ReplyDeleteIt looks far more advanced than when we were there a couple of weeks ago. I wish I could have visited again this weekend it sounds fascinating and busy too. I wonder if they will find any burials in the time they have left?:)
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ReplyDeleteThis makes my heart beat faster! I loved Susan's comment above.
ReplyDeleteIt must be really exciting Ros! Let's hope some more things turn up under the ground soon!
ReplyDeleteDuncan In Kuantan
I'm sure the excitement was palpable. Very cool report and I look forward to further posts. Seeing your picture of friary tile - wow!
ReplyDeleteOoh, very exciting, Ros! Keep us updated.
ReplyDeleteI've commented on your 'Lyrics' post, too.
xxPat
How utterly fascinating! i had no idea this was going on so thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThat's such exciting news. Can't wait for updates!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these fascinating photos, that floor tile is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI have so much respect for archaeologists, it amazes me what they can deduce.
I assume you've seen my post for today (and the news reports)
ReplyDeleteExciting news!
Click here
Wow to today's news of a skeleton found with barbed arrow head in the spine and skull cleaved by an axe! And seemingly with scoliosis; a deformity of the back! Poor fella.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to be an archeologist in my next life - you are so lucky to be that close to the excitement.
ReplyDeleteToday's news is so exciting. They've found a skeleton, intact, male, and, as Pippa says above, with injuries that could have been inflicted at the Battle of Bosworth AND with a deformity of the back. I always thought that hunch back bit was Tudor propoganda but it would seem not.
ReplyDeleteI never realized that his deformity was caused by scoliosis. Amazing photos, and how exciting for you to be at the site! Sorry I didn't see this earlier.
ReplyDeleteJulie