August 15, 2012 5.21 pm This story is over 139 months old

Channel 4’s Time Team filming 2,000-year Lincoln Castle dig

2,000-year history: A dig and presentation has been underway at lincoln Castle to determine what was once there.
Revamping Lincoln Castle (L-R): Mary Powell, Lord Cormack, Dr Jonathan Clark, Helen Bates and Andrew Arrol

Archaeologists digging at Lincoln Castle have worked with Channel 4’s Time Team to discover what the city was like 2,000 years ago.

Dr Jonathan Clark spoke to The Lincolnite on Wednesday, as part of an afternoon of public presentations on the renovation work being done at the castle.

The event took place at The Lawn, and he was one of the guest speakers.

Channel 4 has been filming his team’s work in the Eastern Courtyard of the grounds.

Researchers have been excavating as part of preparations for a new building to house the city’s copy of the Magna Carta.

“We’ve got to go down roughly four metres in depth and that provides a complete slice through the 2,000-year history of Lincoln. From the Romans, right up to the Victorians and the current day,” Dr Clark said.

Various digs have been taking place around the castle, and they have discovered the remains of a number of buildings.

Evidence of a great hall has been found, along with other fragments of information.

The plan is to map out everything that has been found, so visitors can see exactly what was hidden behind the curtain walls.

Work is also being done to improve the walkways along the walls. Architect Andrew Arrol, another guest speaker, said: “Getting access for people of all abilities, people with prams and little children up onto the walls for the first time will be a significant improvement.”

Historical researcher Helen Bates and Tourism and Development Manager for Lincoln County Council, Mary Powell, also gave presentations at the free event.

Visitors were treated to 3D images of what the castle should look like when the construction work is complete.

As previously reported, a special underground vault will be built by 2015, to show off the Magna Carta. It will mark the 800th anniversary of the document and will sit alongside the 1217 Charter of the Forest.

Chairman of the Lincoln Historic Trust, Lord Cormack, gave a short speech at the presentation. He said: “I want 2015 to go down as one of the biggest year’s in Lincoln’s history.”