Excavation of historic hidden building starts at Attingham Park
It had lain undiscovered and hidden for about 200 years.
And now archaeologists have started excavating the remains of a building in the grounds of Attingham Park near Shrewsbury.
Early thoughts that the remains could be a farm building were quickly dismissed when marble and evidence of stained glass windows were found with specialist hand tools.
The building was unearthed by chance during park management works to look at vehicle accessibility in parts of the estate earlier this summer.
It came as a result of a variety of maps and LiDAR surveying being used to check for historically sensitive areas within the grounds.
LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that uses lasers to measure the topography of an area.
In this case it revealed ground variations and a difference in ground height.
Although nothing was indicated on historical maps, the LiDAR map showed an area with unusual ground topography.
Dig
A trial dig was carried out by professional archaeologist Dr Nigel Baker who quickly found evidence that a building had been on the land.
Dr Baker is now leading a two week dig at the National Trust property to try and find out more about what the building was.
He said yesterday’s initial findings had been surprising.
“We found pieces of marble panelling and painted window glass,” he said.
“We now think that the building, which was about five metres square, may have been a chapel or a mausoleum.”
Dr Baker was joined by half a dozen volunteers who helped with the first day of excavation.
Because of the dig’s location visitors to the National Trust property will be able to watch it taking place.
Unusual
It is located near to the Walled Garden at Attingham but Dr Baker said that it does not appear on the 1807 estate map or the 1880 first edition of the Ordnance Survey map.
He said that it was also unusual for there to be no anecdotal knowledge about what the building may have been.
The work so far has revealed that whatever it was it appears to have had a veranda.
Dr Baker said: “I live very close to Attingham and so this is a wonderful project to get involved with.
"To have no records of the existence of the building and no information handed down from people who have been at or associated with Attingham for a long time, is very unusual. The building has evidence of a veranda.”
Bob Thurston, countryside parks and gardens manager at Attingham, said that they are hopeful that the dig could turn up a host of fascinating and long hidden history.
He said: “This is a really interesting discovery – we hope this second dig will give us much more information about what the building is.”
Dr Barker is leading the dig, and is being joined in his efforts by volunteers from Attingham’s Heritage Archaeology Ranger Team.
Visitors can even take part in the dig themselves on three ‘have a go archaeology’ days on Friday, Monday and a week on Friday.
Places are limited, open to all ages, and must be pre-booked in advance at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/whats-on or by calling 03442 491895.
