St Leonard's Training Dig

Summer 2001 – Come and dig in York

Preparations are now well advanced for the exciting research and training excavation which York Archaeological Trust is running 13 June–2 September 2001 in the heart of historic York. The excavation, open to everybody aged 16 or over (12 if accompanied by an adult), is being run by experienced Trust staff and will involve excavation, site recording and finds work. It is attracting huge interest from all ages, with participants from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and the United States. You too are invited to join the excavation, or to come along and watch, or to follow events from the comfort of your own home via our weekly web diary.

Plan of the site

Where is the excavation?

The excavation lies in the west corner of the Roman legionary fortress of Eboracum, and the fortress wall runs round the area on two sides.
In Anglo-Saxon and Viking times this was part of the city's defences.
In the Middle Ages the Hospital of St Leonard's was built here.
In Victorian times the area became an archaeological garden.
In World War II the space was used to construct one of York's air raid shelters.

What do we expect to find?

Our excavations (for further information, please take a look at our Gazetteer and Secrets Beneath Your Feet sites) continue on from those of Channel 4's Time Team in 1999. In three days they revealed the air raid shelter, the Victorian archaeological garden and the remains of the hospital. They showed what excellent results could be expected from further work here…

	World War II As war approached in 1939 York Corporation began to construct air raid shelters for the city's population in case of enemy bombing. One of the main shelters for the city centre was built in the infirmary area of St Leonard's Hospital. People who lived in York during the war can still remember using this shelter. It has since been demolished but the dig will uncover parts of the structure and help us to envisage what life was like in York during the war.

	Victorian Archaeological Garden During the 19th century the museum gardens and the Roman fortress walls were part of an estate belonging to the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. The Society did its best to display the area so that its members and their visitors could appreciate the value of the ancient remains. In the St Leonard's area excavations in the Victorian period revealed more of the infirmary. This was then laid out as an archaeological garden, as recorded on early plans. We expect to reveal parts of this interesting example of early antiquarianism.

	The medieval Hospital of St Leonard's The dig is taking place in the infirmary area of the medieval St Leonard's Hospital. This was founded as St Peter's Hospital in 936 and transferred to its present site in the 11th century. The hospital, one of the largest in medieval England, once supported 225 beds. In the 14th century it maintained up to 18 clergy, 16 female servants, 30 choristers, 10 private boarders and 140–240 poor sick people. This gives some idea of the range of religious, spiritual, medical, social and charitable roles undertaken by a medieval hospital. Parts of the hospital can still be seen, including a vaulted entrance passage, an undercroft to the infirmary and a chapel, all of 13th century date. Other remains of this once vast hospital survive inside the nearby Theatre Royal. The dig expects to uncover further remains of the hospital's infirmary.

	Anglo-Saxon York (Eoforwic) and Viking York (Jorvik) The old Roman defences probably remained in use in Anglian and Viking times. We hope to discover how they were heightened and adapted under Anglian kings (c.600–867) and during the Viking Age (867–954). To see how the Vikings lived in York, why not visit JORVIK?

	The Roman fortress of Eboracum Eboracum was founded about AD 71 as a fortress for the 9th legion. Our site lies just inside its defences. The dig should encounter the ramparts and internal streets of the fortress.
Meet the excavation team…

	The site director is Kurt Hunter-Mann. Kurt was born in Salford, and studied archaeology at Lancaster University. He dug extensively in Britain, including sites in Chester, Croydon, London and Manchester, before joining the Trust in 1987 to work on the Coppergate post-excavation programme. In York his excavations include King's Square, the Crown Courts, Swinegate and St George's Chapel. Kurt is a keen member of the Trust's 5-a-side football team, and a devoted supporter of Manchester United Football Club!
	Bryan Antoni, field archaeologist, hails from Kirkbymoorside, and has worked on many excavations both within and outside York. Bryan has just returned from digging in Albania, and will be sure to have many a tale to tell about his experiences.
	Katherine Bearcock, finds assistant, was born in Preston, but graduated in archaeology from York University in 2000. Her first excavation was at Castell Henllys, where Surviving the Iron Age is filmed. Katherine's hobbies include rock climbing.
	Jon Kenny, finds assistant, was born in Cornwall but brought up on the Isle of Wight. Following a career in housing, John turned his hobby into a new career by studying archaeology at York. He also has an MA in heritage management, and is just completing his PhD from Lancaster University.
	Toby Kendall, field archaeologist, was born in Saltburn by the Sea, but has lived near York for most of his life. He studied archaeology at Bradford University, and was awarded British Academy funding for an MA in Scientific Methods in Archaeology. Toby has excavated in Italy, including five seasons in Pompeii, and has dug on numerous sites in and around York.
	Brian Milner, field archaeologist, was born in York and taught history for a number of years after graduating in Economics at Manchester University. He become involved with the Trust's excavations in 1985 and is now a valued member of the excavation team.

Opening hours
10 am–3.30 pm
Wednesday to Sunday

There will be a nominal charge of £1.00 for adults and 50p for children and concessions.

You can wander round and watch the dig in progress; there will be information boards and staff on hand to answer questions. We will also run some guided tours. Groups can pre-book site tours on 01904 543402/3.

WATCH THIS SPACE!
While the excavation is taking place, we will be bringing you regular updates on its progress, and you can follow the unfolding drama as we unearth the past. You will also be able to meet some of the participants and site staff and hear about their experiences.