Surprise medieval discoveries during castle work

A medieval wall and cesspit have been discovered by archaeologists in Nottinghamshire.

Newark Castle is undergoing multimillion-pound works to open up the original gatehouse, restore access to parts of the surviving walls and improve accessibility across the site.

During this, archaeologists have found what they believe to be a cesspit associated with one of the castle's garderobes - toilets - possibly dating back to the 13th or 14th Century, as well as a wall associated with town fortifications, observed on a 1646 map.

Rebecca Nichols, a senior project manager from Pre-Construct Archaeology, which is overseeing the works, said the team were "very surprised" when staff made the discovery.

Ms Nichols said the team had found a cesspit or soakaway, capped with a worn millstone but added "we're not quite sure which one yet".

She said the facility was "pretty standard really, what you would expect".

"But we weren't expecting to find anything. We thought everything had been stripped away in the 19th and 20th Century," Ms Nichols said.

She said the team were hoping to go back in and do further investigations "to try and ascertain what we've actually got". They have also been looking at various mappings to find out more about the wall.

Ms Nichols added: "The 12th Century wall is the most exciting part, but also the cesspit is very exciting as well."

Work on the site will also see the gatehouse reroofed, new exhibition spaces built and improved access to the formal Victorian gardens that fill the former interior of the building.

It is hoped the project, which was originally budgeted at £5.6m but needed a £1.02m bailout in February, will be completed in late 2026 and will boost visitor numbers.

King John died at the castle in 1216, but a large part of the structure was demolished after a protracted siege in 1646.

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