Most of you probably heard that the archaeologists of the University of Leicester have after a very eventful winter started digging again. They want to discover more of the Greyfriars church, where the remains of Richard III were found last year.
The dig started with removing part of a Victorian wall separating the former Alderman Newton School and 6-8 St Martins. The wall should be rebuilt once the dig is complete.
The plan behind the second dig is to establish the exact layout of the church to establish where Richard’s grave was in relation to the rest of the church. The archaeologists also hope to find out other details like the size of the church and whether it had a tower or whether it had undergone alterations during its 300 year existence. During the previous dig, archaeologists had found evidence that the floor had been changed three times. Three coffins had also been found and it is hoped to find out more about the other people who were buried here.
However, the researchers also hope to go further back into Leicester’s past and hope to find traces what was on the site before the friary was built. After all, Leicester was an important Roman centre, so they might even find Roman artifacts.
The machines moved in on Monday and have now finished their part. Now the areas and trenches which had been dug last year will be uncovered. A viewing platform for the public will also be erected.
To find out more about the second dig follow the blog on the website of the University of Leicester. A good selection of photos can be viewed on Flickr.
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