This Day in History: 2020-07-27

On 27th July 2020, DigVentures returned to Pontefract Castle in a three-weeks’ archaeological dig to finish excavating the drawbridge pit that they had unearthed in 2019. Funded by Historic England, the project was an opportunity to carry out further investigation of the gatehouse following the unexpected discovery of the remains of a barbican and drawbridge pit during the Key to the North project in 2016. Wakefield Council was supported and advised on the excavations by Historic England and the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service (WYAAS).The excavations revealed some interesting masons’ marks and artefacts that helped to date the gatehouse as well as an 8m deep drawbridge pit.