Thu 15th September, 2011
Pottery, animal bone, iron nails and a copper alloy pin - just a few of the fascinating findings from an archaeological dig on the site of the University of Bedfordshire's latest building project at the Luton campus.
The site covers the part of the campus where the Students' Union used to be until it was demolished recently to make way for a new £20m Postgraduate and Continuing Professional Development Centre, due to open in 2013.
Nuala Marshall, Project Office for Headland Archaeology (UK), which carried out the dig, said: "Our excavation revealed archaeological features surviving around 1.5 metres below the present ground level in Luton.
“Underneath the old demolished Students’ Union lay the remains of demolished 19th century buildings amongst various layers of made up ground. Below all this activity, we have discovered preserved archaeological features of ditches, postholes (former building foundations) and large pits.
“We knew from historic records, as well as from previous archaeological digs in the area, that the site was the location of a 13th-century castle built by Fulk de Breauté, an Anglo-Norman knight; that was in use some time between 1216 and 1221.”
From this latest dig, fragments of artefacts found include pottery, animal bone and some iron nails. The archaeologists also found a copper alloy pin which would have likely been used with a brooch in clothing.
The University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon CBE DL, who toured the site earlier this month, said:
“I’m delighted that Headland Archaeology had an opportunity to explore this site over the summer before construction starts on the latest phase of the University’s £180m investment programme in new facilities
“Artefacts discovered on the site are enabling the University to play its part in contributing to the knowledge of the history of Luton.”
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Latest news» 2011» September» Secrets from Luton’s past unearthed at Bedfordshire
