Richard III Project Update

Infilling of the Richard II dig trenches starts this week, so to protect the underlying archaeology for the future.

If you were not able to look into the trenches dug in the Greyfriars car park, you’ve now sadly missed your chance for the time being. Work has started to protect the underlying archaeology because as Leicester folk know – it’s a bit wet outside!

The excavations are very important but also fragile as they are largely loose soil, stone and mortar. The infilling is designed to protect them so that they do not deteriorate and is performed in such a way that they can be re-opened once the long-term future of the site is determined. The excavations will be covered by a special plastic membrane before being in-filled.

The area of the site thought to be the choir of the lost church of the Grey Friars, where human remains which are potentially Richard III were found, is not being in-filled and will be protected from the elements in a different way.

The valuable information which these excavations have provided has been carefully recorded and will be used in future interpretations of the site and medieval Leicester. Discussions about the long-term future of the site are ongoing.

For more information, see http://www2.le.ac.uk/projects/greyfriars

by Matthew Sibson