| Title: |
Gatehouse Project, Pontefract Castle: Project Design for a Community Archaeology Project |
| Series: |
DigVentures unpublished report series
|
| Downloads: |
|
digventu1-347513_187302.pdf (6 MB)
:
|
Download
|
|
| Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
|
| DOI |
|
| Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
|
| Abstract: |
Community excavation on the inner bailey gatehouse at Pontefract Castle, involving targeted excavation, photogrammetric survey and a programme of public engagement. Significant remains were uncovered during the investigation, enabling a reinterpretation of the building and surrounding landscape during the medieval and post-medieval periods. The excavation area was an irregular shape in plan, measuring approximately 15m long and 10m wide between the existing footpath in front of the visitor centre and the base of the steps into the inner bailey.
Seven distinct phases of activity were observed within the trench. The earliest represented by a casing wall which predated the construction of the gatehouse in the 14th or 15th century. The gatehouse structure is now understood to have been aligned north to south, forming a barbican passage bridge over the moat, within which was a large drawbridge pit. Mason’s marks found inside this pit and on the surviving external elevations of the building indicate it was likely constructed as part of a larger scheme of castle renovation commissioned in the 14th century. Layers investigated from within the drawbridge pit demonstrated a gradual accumulation of deposits from as early as the 14th through to the 17th century.
Masonry of a different construction technique was found abutting one of the gatehouse towers. This structure has tentatively been interpreted as part of a redans built prior to the Civil War sieges in the 1640s. Further evidence for the sieges was found within the drawbridge pit where significant layers consisting of large stone rubble fragments indicated the castle’s demolition. Numerous lead musket balls dating to this period were also found from these deposits.
Later episodes of robbing activity were evident around many of the walls, dating from the demolition of the gatehouse in 1649 through to the mid 19th century. By the 1880s much of the castle was subject to archaeological recording before the entire area was landscaped. At this time much of the upstanding gatehouse remains were remodelled to fit the aesthetic of a late Victorian romantic ruin.
Public engagement was a key part of the success of the project, providing a range of opportunities for local community members, school children and visitors to the area to learn more about the archaeology of Pontefract Castle. A significant impact was made on participants and visitors alike, attracting a diverse community of people from an area of high deprivation to explore their heritage in new and different ways. The project succeeded in changing people’s perception of archaeology and local history while giving the opportunity to improve their skills and understanding of the discipline. Insights gained from this evaluation have established a clear community need and demand for more archaeological work at Pontefract Castle, and should assist with the impactful design and funding applications for any future activities. |
| Author: |
Lisa Westcott Wilkins
C. Casswell
Brendon Wilkins
|
| Publisher: |
DigVentures
|
| Year of Publication: |
2019
|
| Locations: |
| Parish: |
Wakefield, unparished area |
| District: |
Wakefield |
| Country: |
England |
| County: |
West Yorkshire |
|
Grid Reference: 446075, 422313 (Easting, Northing)
|
|
| Subjects / Periods: |
|
| Identifiers: |
| OASIS Id: |
digventu1-347513 |
|
| Source: |
|
| Relations: |
|
| Created Date: |
03 Feb 2023 |
