Leicestershire and its city is rich in archaeology. Occupation in the city goes back to the Iron age with settlement and coin making evidence. Recent excavations have revealed its rich Roman heritage, complimenting our Roman monument at Jewry Wall. The Medieval city has an impressive Norman castle motte and a timber framed guildhall, as well as a famous dead king.
The county is rich in many sites, with occupation reaching far back into prehistory. Brooksby quarry has important pre-Palaeolithic occupation evidence. The county is rich in Bronze Age cemeteries and monuments like Cossington and Lockington We also have several Iron Age hill forts including Burrough hill , home to a recently discovered chariot hoard and of course the stunning Hallaton hoard of Iron Age coins. There is an extensive network of Roman towns and rural settlement. Important Anglo-Saxon cemeteries, including the latest discovery at Rothley highlight extensive settlement in the preiod. A rich collection of churches, including minster sites like Breedon on the hill, are home to some of the counties impressive stone sculpture. We have several castles including Kirby Muxloe and a rather famous battlefield at Bosworth, many timber framed buidlings and important evidence for early Tudor coal mining at Coleorton.
Explore artefacts and coins found in Leicestershire and recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. There’s even more about Leicestershire finds and volunteering on our blog.
To get involved, try one of the museums, clubs or societies or come to a local event. Or contact us to learn more about volunteering for the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Find out about the latest excavation news around the City and County from our local unit ULAS
