30/07/2009

Issued by: DIG Hungate 

Join in the Yorkshire Day celebrations this Saturday by taking a trip through 1000 years of York's history at the Hungate excavation.

As the region celebrates its heritage and culture, York's biggest ever archaeological dig is having a free open day to give everyone the opportunity to explore the history of York, as part of Yorkshire Day.

The Hungate excavation will be open free to the public between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 1 August.

Visitors will get the chance experience a Viking Age and later medieval world while talking to the archaeologists who have been excavating the site. The archaeologists from York Archaeological Trust will reveal where Viking Age buildings once stood and how Hungate was used in medieval times.

Hungate excavation project director, Peter Connelly, says, "We have now reached Viking Age and medieval levels in the excavation and we're discovering new artefacts all the time.  It's great to be able to share these with York residents and visitors to the city, especially on Yorkshire Day. 

"Lots of new finds will be on display this Saturday including a Viking Age antler comb and buckle plate and a selection of Roman and medieval pottery.  Visitors will be able to handle some of the ancient artefacts that we have found and we hope that they enjoy getting involved."

The Hungate excavation is located at the bottom of Stonebow in York city centre and will be open on Saturday 1 August from 10am until 3pm.  To find out more about the excavations, their location and York Archaeological Trust's work visit www.dighungate.com.

-ENDS-