There are 4 replica excavation pits at DIG for you to unearth. These are all based on four major excavations that York Archaeological Trust have undertaken in the past 30 years. What you find are all similar artefacts to what the Trust's archaeologists found during that particular excavation.

The first city: Roman York

The Romans built a fortress in York, which they called Eboracum, in AD71.

A city of magnificent buildings including villas, barracks, temples, an amphitheatre and public bath houses.

Some of the remains of Roman occupation can be seen today, such as the Multangular Tower in the Museum Gardens, which are the remains of the west corner of the fortress wall.

Multangular Tower, York

Coppergate

The Vikings attacked and took York in 866; they called it Jorvik.

By 1066, there were between 10,000 and 15,000 people living here. The Vikings had a huge trading network across Europe and beyond.

During the excavations of Coppergate, archaeologists uncovered debris from industrial production and were able to identify the homes and workshops of blacksmiths, antler workers, wood workers and leatherworkers along with other craftsmen.

The items produced were not only functional but beautifully crafted.

Coppergate, York 1976 - 1981

Medieval

Medieval Monastic Life

By the end of the Middle Ages, York was a city full of churches. There were eight monasteries and friaries, over 40 parish churches, chapels, chantries and two important colleges.

The Gilbertine Priory of St Andrew at Fishergate was established in the 13th century. Its excavation allowed us to study the cemetery population, revealing new information about health, diet, appearance and life expectancy.
When skeletons are found, they are drawn and photographed in situ. Special permission is needed to remove the remains for further study.

Fishergate, York 1985 -1986

Victorian

Life in a Victorian City

The 19th century saw rapid change in York. The population rose dramatically with the expansion of industry. Small terraced houses were built. Areas rapidly became overcrowded and unfit for habitation.

The Victorian terrace that you can unearth at DIG was in an area called Hungate and based on a house which originally stood in Dundas Street.

People lived in terrible conditions, in dark cramped homes with open sewers. Between the two World Wars, this area along with other slum areas of York was cleared.

Hungate 2007 - 2011