ARCHAEOLOGISTS from the University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) have uncovered extraordinary evidence of 2,000 years of human activity beneath Leicester’s market place – including a Roman infant burial and the remains of a long-lost civic landmark.
The discoveries were made during excavations carried out alongside groundworks for the city’s new market square.
Since work began in July, the ULAS team has revealed a wealth of archaeological features spanning multiple eras of Leicester’s past.
Among the most poignant finds is the grave of a Roman infant, buried beneath a floor of a timber building dating back nearly 1,800 years. Nearby, the team uncovered rarely found Roman pottery kilns, offering new insights into domestic life and industry in Roman Leicester.
From the medieval period, archaeologists have identified the earliest medieval market surfaces, a stone-lined well, and the remains of a dungeon once described in the mid-16th century as “a most vile prison.”
The dungeon is believed to have been part of the Gainsborough Chamber – a building first mentioned in records in 1533.
A high-status civic building, the chamber served as a venue for judicial proceedings, mayoral business, feasting and celebrations, until its demolition in around 1748.
Its newly uncovered thick stone walls highlight the Gainsborough Chamber’s architectural significance and civic importance.
The archaeologists’ excavations continue to shed light on Leicester’s rich heritage, revealing stories long buried beneath the surface of one of the city’s most iconic public spaces.
Dr Gavin Speed, who’s leading the dig on behalf of ULAS, said: “Leicester is one of the most archaeologically explored cities in the country, yet this particular area has remained relatively untouched – until now.
“The redevelopment of the market square has given us a rare opportunity to investigate what lies beneath this important site. We anticipated finding evidence of Roman occupation, as the market place sits in what would have been the south-east corner of Roman Leicester, but the discoveries have surpassed our expectations.
“Our excavations have revealed the well-preserved remains of two Roman buildings. The earliest was a timber structure, beneath which we found the burial of an infant, placed there around 1,900 years ago. This poignant discovery offers a glimpse into the lives – and deaths – of Leicester’s Roman inhabitants.
“Over time, the memory of this burial was lost, as a later Roman building, this time constructed in stone, was built directly over the earlier timber house.
“Associated with this later phase, we have uncovered Roman tesserae – the small stone cubes used in mosaics – as well as pottery, coins and items of jewellery. These finds help us piece together the daily life and economy of Roman Leicester.
“After the Roman period, we identified thick soil layers dating to the Anglo-Saxon era – a poorly understood chapter in Leicester’s history. Analysis of these soils may shed light on whether and how people continued to live among the ruins of the former Roman city.
“Remarkably, just below the modern ground surface, we have discovered the earliest medieval market place. This consisted of compacted pebbles, overlain by silts and successive resurfacing layers. It’s like looking at a slice through an archaeological cake: we can see multiple market surfaces, each representing a different generation and some 800 years of market activity. We have even identified traces of former medieval market stalls, preserved as post-holes.
“These discoveries not only answer longstanding questions about the development of Leicester’s market place, but also provide a fascinating window into the city’s evolution from Roman times through the medieval period and beyond.”
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Before the market square is paved in porphyry for the future, it’s important that we take the opportunity to learn as much as we can about its past.
“We’re very fortunate to have the expertise of ULAS in the city. The work of their archaeologists is showing how this key site has been in use for thousands of years, with everyone from the Romans to the Victorians leaving traces of their existence behind them.
“ULAS will continue to work alongside Speller Metcalfe, our contractors, to extract as much information from the site as they can, and I hope we’ll be able to put some of the archaeologists’ remarkable finds on display for the public to enjoy too.”
Picture credit: Speller Metcalfe