Revisit historic discoveries as University of Leicester Archaeological Services celebrates thirty years

Archaeologists at the University of Leicester have dug up a milestone: three decades worth of discoveries in the Midlands!

To mark its 30th anniversary in July 2025, University of Leicester Archaeological Service (ULAS) will be looking back over some if its key discoveries as part of an extensive programme of talks and activities during of this year’s Festival of Archaeology. 

Running from 19 July and 3 August, ULAS staff will be taking part in events around Leicestershire that explore the unit’s legacy of digging deep into the region’s history.

Established following the closure of the local authority Leicestershire Archaeological Unit in 1995, ULAS was founded as part of the University of Leicester’s then School of Archaeological Studies as one of a handful of commercial archaeology units in the UK to be associated with a university. Archaeologists Patrick Clay and Richard Buckley would lead the unit as co-directors for its first two decades, setting the scene for a host of amazing discoveries in the Midlands through to the present day.

Early discoveries by the unit included the first Neolithic causewayed enclosure found in Leicestershire at Husband’s Bosworth in 1998, and a Bronze Age barrow cemetery at Cossington excavated from 1999 that unearthed the beaded necklace that was the subject of a recent exhibition at Charnwood Museum.

Their excavation of an Iron Age site at Hallaton from 2001-2003 revealed a shrine, coin hoards and the famous Hallaton Helmet. Later excavations would also reveal much about Leicestershire’s Roman history, including what is considered one of the finest mosaics found at the site of Leicester’s old Stibbe factory in 2017, as well as another found in Rutland in 2022 depicting the Trojan War, a unique discovery. And, of course, in 2012 members of ULAS excavated the remains of the last Plantagenet King of England, Richard III.

In celebration of 30 years of ULAS, members of the team will be hosting talks and tours during an extensive programme of activities for this year’s Festival of Archaeology across Leicestershire and Rutland. From deep-dives into their biggest discoveries, to walks around Leicestershire’s historic landmarks, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

The CBA Festival of Archaeology incorporates hundreds of in-person and virtual events delivered by community groups, heritage organisations, universities, commercial units, and more.

It promotes involvement in archaeology through flagship days such as ‘A Day in Archaeology’ and ‘Youth Day’ and allows individuals to get involved from wherever they are, all year round, through our wide range of downloadable resources. Through the Festival, the CBA helps over half a million people to participate in archaeology, explore stories of place, and connect with the environment around them.  Each year the Festival of Archaeology has a theme, in 2025 this is 'Archaeology and Wellbeing'.

John Thomas, Deputy Director of ULAS, said: “ULAS have made some stunning discoveries in our first 30 years, and we’re really proud of the contribution our work has made to the Leicestershire’s heritage. I think that the key to our success is that we have a strong regional focus, and we have always been very happy to share our work with local people. 

“Some of our key projects, such as the Hallaton Hoard, or the Rutland Trojan War mosaic, were carried out in in partnership with community groups, enabling them to get hands on involvement in the archaeology of their own area. Sharing the results of our projects has always been central to what ULAS aim to achieve, and there is no better platform for that than the Festival of Archaeology.”

ULAS work extensively with the local community in Leicester, Leicestershire and the wider Midlands to raise awareness of their work and involve people in the history of the region. In 2024, they ran 168 events to over 15,000 people, providing a total of 1,112 hours of engagement. They have regularly featured on television shows such as Time Team and Digging for Britain, which last year they featured in for the third consecutive series. They also run field schools and community excavations as part of their outreach, providing important opportunities for students and members of the public to get hands on experience in archaeology, including the award-winning Irchester Field School.

University of Leicester Archaeological Services events to mark its 30th anniversary:

Saturday 12 July at 10.30am - Richard III – The King Under the Car Park. Lutterworth Methodist Church, Bitteswell Road, Lutterworth LE17 4EL. Tickets: £5, no booking necessary (proceeds to Lutterworth Museum)

Friday 11 July at 2pm - Guided Walk of Burrough Hill. Meet in the car park at Burrough Hill Country Park, Somerby Road, Burrough on the Hill LE14 2QZ. Tickets: Adults £5, children FREE. No booking required. Please note, car parking is £2.50. 

Thursday 17 July at 6.30pm - Leicester Uncovered: Leicester Cathedral Revealed. Leicester Cathedral, Tickets: Adults £8 (£6 concessions)

Saturday 19 July: 2pm - Hunters and Hyenas in Prehistoric Rutland: An open air hunting camp and hyena den Glaston. Rutland County Museum, FREE, booking essential. 

Sunday 20 July: 1pm & 3pm - Hallaton Castle Walk. Tickets: £5, to guarantee a place please pre-book 

Wednesday 23 July, 7.30pm - If Beads Could Talk – Recreating A Bronze Age Composite Necklace From Cossington. Rattray Lecture Theatre, University of Leicester. FREE, no booking necessary.

Thursday 24 July at 7.30pm - Secrets from the Soil. Charnwood Museum, Tickets: Members £3, Non-members £5. Booking Essential 

Sunday 27 July at 1pm & 3pm - Hallaton Castle Walk. Tickets: £5, to guarantee a place please pre-book 

Monday 28 July at 7.30pm - Secrets from the Soil. Uppingham Methodist Church, 13 Orange St, Uppingham LE15 9SQ. Tickets: £5, no booking required

Wednesday 30 July from 11am – 3pm: Archaeology Family Fun Day at Bradgate Park

Sunday 3 August at 1pm & 3pm - Hallaton Castle Walk. Tickets: £5, to guarantee a place please pre-book