Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Ancient well discovery sheds light on city's medieval past

Archaeologists have unearthed a medieval well over 3m (9ft) deep which had lain undiscovered for over 800 years. The University of Sheffield's archaeological consultancy firm ARCUS made the unexpected find in Sheffield's city centre.

The discovery was made during the team's excavation at Carmel House on Fargate in Sheffield city centre, as part of the redevelopment of the site by Hermes Property Unit Trust.

University academics said it was "unprecedented evidence" about how Sheffield would have looked in medieval times, when it was a small market town until its massive growth during the industrial revolution. The dating of the well, dug into sandstone bedrock, suggested it was contemporary with the rebuilding of Sheffield Castle in stone in 1270 and the granting of Sheffield's market charter by Edward I in 1296.

Click here to read this article from the Yorkshire Post