This weekend the University of Leicester team will be hosting a free family open day for members of the public to learn more about their discoveries at Bradgate park.
Archaeologists from the University’s School of Archaeology and Ancient History have been digging at the public park in Charnwood for the past few weeks and have been unearthing many secrets from the past.
The open day called ‘A Walk in the Past’ runs from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 27 June and is split into two areas.
At the Prehistory & Archaeology area, visitors will get a chance to watch demonstrations of prehistoric tools being used, flint knapping, coil pot making and spear head making as well as informal talks about Druid rituals, bread and mead making.
The second area at Bradgate House ruins called Medieval History & Archaelology in the Park, will give visitors a chance to explore the site, dig for treasure, hear medieval musicians and take part in medieval tile making.
Bradgate Park is best known as the birth place and childhood home of Lady Jane Grey – the ‘nine days Queen’ and attracts half a million visitors annually.
Over the next five years, academics, professional archaeologists and students will be working together to uncover the many mysteries of Leicestershire’s 850-acre deer park.
The first season of excavation which will last six weeks began on Monday 8 June, and is focused on a moated site identified to the west of Bradgate House, thought to be the home of the medieval park-keeper, or a royal hunting lodge.
In future years, other sites of interest will be explored, including the site of Lady Jane Grey’s house, a Palaeolithic open site – one of only a few in the United Kingdom – and an enclosure of possible prehistoric date.
There will also be an end of season excavation tour on site on Saturday 11 July as part of the Festival of Archaeology.
