Second successful season of fieldwork for archaeology students concludes

An archaeological project aimed at giving students hands-on experience of excavating and uncovering real historical sites has turned up a host of historical information.

The Bradgate Park Fieldschool, run by the School of Archaeology and Ancient History, has focused its attention on a 13th or 14th century stone building as part of a hands-on module for first and second year undergraduates.

The latest dig has generated a wealth of historical evidence which reveals more about the county park’s hidden past.

Project co-director Dr Richard Thomas said: “The second season of excavation at Bradgate Park has been hugely rewarding and exciting.

“The public support for the project has been overwhelming with more than 2,000 visitors attending our open day and approximately 1,500 school children have visited the excavations to learn about archaeology and what we have been discovering.”

The five-year scheme, which runs until 2019, encompasses a series of excavations, topographic and geophysical surveys, environmental re-constructions and standing building surveys.

During the second season of the project, more than 80 archaeology students – 50 first years and 30 second years – explored a small section of the 850-acre deer park.

There are more than 15,000 years of archaeological treasure - in the academic sense - just waiting to be uncovered at the county attraction.

Watch a video of the first season of the fieldschool at Bradgate Park below: