'Void' opens up in middle of UK city and archaeologists find sinister discovery
A remarkable discovery has been made at the site of a former Roman legionary fortress, prompting archaeologists to investigate. The find was located in the middle of the road outside York Theatre Royal.
The void was revealed when workers attempted to mend a sinkhole on St Leonard's Place and is thought to contain remnants of a hospital from the 12th-13th century.
The site extended from what is now Museum Gardens to the Theatre Royal and after the reformation, it served as the Royal Mint.
The location was given the medieval moniker of Mint Yard and was razed several centuries ago before a road was constructed over it.
The area was secured prior to contractors and archaeological teams commencing their investigative work. To ensure the safety of workers, traffic and the public, a lane closure was implemented, reports the Express.
York Council confirmed findings have been documented in accordance with CIFA standards and photographs have been taken for further analysis.
Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport, expressed her gratitude for the public's patience, acknowledging that these emergency works have caused disruption to residents, visitors and bus operators.
She said: "We knew that there is a lot of complex archaeology in the area dating back to the Roman legionary fortress. Throughout the works, we have been live to this while doing all we can to get off-site as quickly as possible. However these finds, while fascinating, have set our timescales back a bit.
"We will continue to share updates as the work progresses. At peak times the inner ring road is very busy so we're asking people to plan ahead, use the outer ring road to traverse the city where possible and consider other ways to travel to the city centre. That includes getting the bus, walking or cycling. While some buses are being diverted they will continue to serve communities across the city."
The area became a new Georgian streetscape in 1836 and was soon one of the most fashionable parts of the city at the time.
The demolished parts of the city walls were then used to create a base for their new road, which is now known as St Leonard's Place.
Nowadays, the road which sits atop of the former St Leonard's Hospital is a major thoroughfare for commuters and is known for its elegant architecture.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
Three stunning locations to escape bustling Edinburgh Fringe and Oasis crowds
With Oasis gigs and the Fringe festival filling the city, Edinburgh is lively - but the capital also offers quiet options nearby Edinburgh is set to become the centre of the arts world once again, as festival season begins and the city welcomes millions of visitors. With the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the International Festival in full swing throughout August, the capital will be bursting with performers, tourists and energy. Adding to the buzz, three major Oasis gigs are also scheduled over the coming week or so, ensuring the city will be packed throughout the month. While the festivals bring a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere, the constant crowds can feel overwhelming at times. Fortunately, the city is full of hidden corners where calm can still be found. For those looking to take a break from the hustle of the Royal Mile and the crowded venues, there are peaceful retreats tucked just beyond the city centre, Scottish Daily Express reports.. Here are three of the best escapes to explore during Edinburgh's busiest season. Dean Village Just a short walk from Princes Street lies one of Edinburgh's most picturesque and peaceful areas. Dean Village, described by VisitScotland as 'one of Edinburgh's best kept secrets', sits along the Water of Leith. Once a separate village centred around grain milling, Dean Village was home to 11 mills, the remnants of which are still visible. It feels far removed from the bustle of the city, despite being less than a mile away. Though now part of Edinburgh, the area retains its old-world charm and is known for its distinctive architecture. At the heart of the village is Well Court, a striking building constructed in the 1880s to house mill workers. Above it all is Dean Bridge, a 30-metre-high structure built by famed engineer Thomas Telford in 1831 to link the growing city from east to west. With leafy paths, riverside walks and plenty of photo opportunities, Dean Village is a tranquil escape just minutes from the festival crowds. Duddingston and Dr Neil's Garden Hidden behind Holyrood Park, the historic village of Duddingston is another peaceful retreat that few tourists ever find. Dating back to the 12th century, the village boasts a loch, nature reserve and a blend of traditional cottages, Georgian villas, and one of the oldest churches in Scotland; Duddingston Kirk. One of the highlights of the area is Dr Neil's Garden, a quiet sanctuary tucked at the foot of Arthur's Seat. Free to enter from 10am until dusk, the garden offers colourful plantings of alpines, primulas, rhododendrons and azaleas, all laid out with care in a space ideal for relaxation and reflection. With Arthur's Seat rising behind it, this spot offers both seclusion and beauty. The nearby Sheep Heid Inn is thought to be one of the oldest pubs in the country, and Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have once been a guest. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Craigmillar Castle While Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline and draws in huge crowds, few visitors venture just four miles southeast to explore its lesser-known counterpart. Craigmillar Castle, steeped in royal history, offers a quieter but equally dramatic experience. This 15th-century fortress is where Mary, Queen of Scots, took refuge after the murder of her secretary, David Rizzio. It is also linked to the alleged plot to kill her husband, Lord Darnley. The grounds include a unique fishpond shaped like the letter P, and the tower house provides some of the best views of Edinburgh Castle itself. Entry to Craigmillar Castle is £7.50 if booked in advance or £8.50 on the day, a bargain compared to central city prices, and a chance to step into history away from the crowds. See the Historic Environment Scotland website for more information.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
'Frozen in time' town is like 'mini Rome' without the crowds
It is renowned for its Roman ruins and medieval architecture, and is often described as a 'mini Rome' without the bustling crowds A stunning town famed for its Roman remains and medieval structures resembles a "mini Rome" but without the masses of tourists. Gubbio, a delightful town nestled in Italy's lush Umbria region, whisks visitors back through the centuries. This ancient settlement is acknowledged as one of Italy's largest and best-preserved medieval towns. Tracing its roots back to 1000 AD, it occupies a crucial place in the country's heritage and boasts historic landmarks alongside a fascinating past. Despite being Umbria's oldest town, Gubbio remains extraordinarily well-maintained. Tourists can witness structures that have endured for centuries, perhaps even millennia, scattered throughout the settlement. Indeed, a Roman theatre stands here, constructed around 20BC, which ranked as the second largest in the Roman Empire under Emperor Augustus' rule, reports the Express. The remnants of Gubbio's Roman Theatre remain visible on the town's periphery. Essential sights include the Palazzo dei Consoli and the Duomo di Gubbio, which proves immensely popular amongst visitors who have experienced the area. Travellers can also discover the collections within the Palazzo dei Consoli, featuring artefacts from Gubbio's past, archaeological discoveries, and artistic treasures. Since Gubbio lacks the fame of other destinations in Italy's central regions, holidaymakers can savour exploring its historic attractions without the typical throngs. This presents a rare chance given Italy's enormous popularity amongst globetrotters. The picturesque town is a stone's throw away from central Italy's hotspots, nestled just an hour's drive from Perugia and a mere two hours from the Renaissance city of Florence. Both cities are well-connected, with direct flights available from numerous UK airports and across Europe. A travel guru has dubbed it a "historic marvel". Ed Maughan, Managing Director of describes the town as a "historic marvel that is brimming with impressive ancient sites" that leave visitors spellbound amidst its serpentine, cobblestone streets. Adding to the town's allure is the eerie "bird cage" cable car, known locally as the Funivia. The journey begins at the Basilica di Sant'Ubaldo on Monte Ingino, immortalised by Dante in his 11th-century works. The two-seater cable cars are constantly on the go, so you'll need to be nimble to hop aboard for the ride down to the town. Labelled as "unique" by many, the town's enchanting beauty has captivated travellers. One TripAdvisor review said: "We were staying at a resort nearby and drove to Gubbio for the day. A small town, but very upscale. Apparently, the wealth is held by a few families. One of them makes cement and has factories around the world. Don't miss the caged ride to the top for a great view." Another user expressed: "Being able to orient myself to Gubbio. Beautiful medieval city. Very informative. Train ran continuously over the course of the day."
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
The elite built their wealth on slavery – what can we do about it?
Obviously this did not come cheap, but its second owner, Ninian Home, had no trouble finding the means to turn this into a show-stopping stately home. As a sugar plantation owner in the West Indies he was filthy rich and wanted everybody to know it. Paxton House Trust, which holds the property for the nation, does not shy away from this shameful legacy. Instead, it has an exhibition highlighting the family's lucrative links to slavery and their plantations in Grenada. Part of the house's collection of sumptuous Georgian costumes includes a model of a black servant dressed in elegant shirt, silk waistcoat and breeches. What he and other black servants made of the Scottish Borders is not recorded; perhaps the best that can be said is that they were likely to have lived longer and more healthily here than if they had been working on a plantation. For what it's worth (very little you might say), it seems that Ninian Home was not a brutal owner. But an owner he was, one of countless great planters who made their fortunes, and passed them on, from the labour of the enslaved. Such were conditions in the West Indies – and in other colonies on the eastern seaboard of America – that so many died of disease, overwork or harsh treatment, constant transports of new slaves from Africa were required to replace them. It was an unspeakable way to make money, and yet many who did so believed themselves to be morally upstanding figures. Nor was Home a rarity among the middle and upper ranks of 18th-century Scottish society, whose houses, parks and prestige are with us still. Almost wherever you look, plantation owners and slave traders' fingerprints are all over our major institutions. Wherever there is generational privilege and power stretching back centuries, be it a bank or a justice system or an entrenched social hierarchy, you can be sure there is a direct association with enrichment from the colonies, either through slavery or oppression of other sorts. Just how complicit or rapacious Scotland has been is yet to be fully examined. This week, however, in a ground-breaking move, the University of Edinburgh published a Race Review, exploring the university's historic relationship to slavery and colonialism, and the ways in which it has benefited from these connections. Read more It's the worst kind of cut any council could make. And yet still they did it Overseen by Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, Scotland's first black professor, who died in June, the report runs to over 100 pages. Its conclusions make sobering reading. Not only did Edinburgh University receive £30m in 'philanthropic gifts' from those whose income came from tobacco, sugar and cotton plantations, but it reveals the extent to which 18th-century academics promulgated ideas of the racial superiority of whites and the inferiority, in particular, of blacks. Those of us taught to take pride in the Scottish Enlightenment, which laid the foundation for liberal democracy and rejected the stranglehold of religion, might need to adjust our lens. Edinburgh's leading thinkers, among them the philosophers Adam Ferguson and David Hume and the historian William Robertson, assumed that whites were superior. Despite heated debate, this belief was reflected in the curriculum, moulding the minds of students before they headed out into the world. Highlighting the perniciousness of these ideas, the report also investigates the university's ties to apartheid and genocide of colonised people across the globe, including the Middle East. In this respect, they single out Arthur James Balfour, the university's long-standing chancellor (1891-1930) and the architect of the Balfour Declaration. He played a pivotal role, they write, 'in establishing and maintaining a century-long process of imperial and settler-colonial rule in Palestine, resulting today in one of the longest standing colonial occupations and apartheid regimes in modern history.' The Race Report makes several recommendations for apology and reparation, and the Principal, Sir Peter Matthiessen, has pledged 'meaningful change', promising to 'learn from and repair its past'. Delivering the report, Matthiessen announced that 'we cannot have a selective memory about our past, focussing only on the historical achievements which make us feel proud.' The legacy of David Hume is proving controversial (Image: Newsquest) He's right. When you learn that even the Picts traded in slaves, you begin to realise that violent subjugation and money made from the misfortune of others underlie much of the heritage on which our nation has been built. Indeed, as the global history of colonialism shows, ruthless mistreatment of those deemed inferior is one of the most deplorable human instincts. However, Edinburgh University's critics point out that it is rather convenient to draw attention to reprehensible historic liaisons, whilst ignoring its contentious present-day alliances. The protest group Edinburgh University Staff 4 Free Speech claims that the university has 'murky relationships with organisations and governments which support modern day human exploitation'. They cite the university's 'silence' over the treatment of pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong, and its profitable ties to the Chinese government, whose persecution of Uighurs has drawn international condemnation. How many major institutions and companies have connections they would rather were not investigated too closely? Better perhaps to ask, how few don't? Where there's great wealth, there's all too often criminal ill-treatment. Today's abuses might not be as egregious in scale as in previous centuries, but there are countless ways in which to exploit workers, even in this country, let alone those with a poor human rights record. Despite our faith in public and political transparency, it's safe to assume that ill-gotten gains continue to taint public life and private philanthropy, seeping into the bedrock of our society under the guise of donations, influence, endowments and bequests. As Edinburgh University's report makes clear, it is essential to look unflinchingly at the past and face up to its ongoing legacy. We should be equally forensic and unforgiving when scrutinising the present, but that's a great deal harder.
