Roman Townhouse Discovered Under English Castle

A Roman townhouse is believed to be lying “underneath Lincoln Castle” in Lincolnshire, England. BBC News reports that archaeologists digging at the site have reached a depth of 11.5 feet (3.5 m) below the current ground level. The team is digging at the site prior to work being carried out to the restore the castle as part of the £19.9 million Lincoln Castle Revealed project. Archaeologist Cecily Spall told the BBC: “We have been working since September [2012] – and have reached the level of the Norman castle – from the mid 11th century.” She said: “We expect we will find a Roman townhouse at about 4m [13 feet] depth below ground level.” An Ancient Roman fortress was built at the site c. 60 AD. The Romans abandoned Lincoln and Britain in 410. William the Conqueror built Lincoln Castle in 1068 on the site of the Roman fort, and the castle was used as a court and prison for 900 years. The Lincoln Castle Revealed project is expected to be completed in 2015, in time for celebrations for the Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary. The project includes the creation an underground vault that will be used to display Lincoln’s copy of the Magna Carta.