The Ruins of a Castle built in the early Middle Ages, which had been lost for centuries, have been discovered in Gloucester, England.
According to Heritage Daily, during the construction of several buildings in Gloucester, archaeologists from the Cotswold Archaeological Agency uncovered traces of a castle beneath an old basketball court.
This ancient castle is Gloucester Castle, built in the early Middle Ages during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century.
Ruins of Gloucester Castle in England – (Photo: COTSOLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL AGENCY).
Over the centuries, multiple renovations and expansions increased the castle’s area, and by the 13th century, it had become the residence of members of the English royal family.
Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the castle fell into decline, and much of the stonework from the fortifications was “stripped out,” repurposed for the construction of roads and buildings in the city center.
During this period, the above-ground structure of the castle was reduced to a section used as a local prison.
In 1787, the castle was demolished and used as farmland for a long time before completely disappearing from records.
However, the recent excavation in the city has revealed hidden structures that were once part of the castle and remained undestroyed by ancient peoples.
Some trenches have uncovered remnants of medieval structures that archaeologists believe are part of a bridge or raised roadway made of brick crossing through the defensive ditches.
Additionally, a section of a post-medieval wall related to gardens located on the ruins in the 19th century has been identified, corresponding with boundaries shown on old maps from that time.
“The results highlight that significant archaeological evidence continues to exist at relatively shallow depths, allowing us to trace historical land use and landscape changes in the city over centuries,” the researchers stated.
