Archaeologists found Roman graves & a WWII bomb crater during York Central construction. Surprising finds halt progress.
This project should help York’s economy and is expected to add over a billion pounds to the city. They are planning homes, stores, and work spaces. About 6,500 new jobs could be created.
Archaeologists made a surprising discovery during construction: they unearthed an old Roman cemetery with over 90 graves, undisturbed. Pottery and grooming kits were found inside.
Some vessels held cremations. They even found votive deposits, possibly offerings to gods. Experts have been watching the site since 2021, with major digs in 2022 and last year.
The Roman cemetery is part of a larger one that was first dug up in the 1800s! One man was buried with a pot from Peterborough; another had a grooming kit.
The graves stopped suddenly. People thought Victorians had worked there. Actually, a bomb from World War II made the crater.
This cemetery was used from 150 AD to 350 AD. It went under the station and railway museum. Bombs hit York in 1942 during the Baedeker Raids.
York Central also showcases railway history. Engine sheds started being built in the 1800s; by the mid-1900s, the area was bustling.
The York Carriageworks employed over 3,000 people before it closed in 2002. Plans for homes will be submitted soon.
Infrastructure work should be done by winter 2025, including building two new bridges. The project includes two public squares, and over 18 acres will become parkland. A government hub is also possible, and a new footbridge plan arrives in September.