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A close-up of some of the items found in medieval pits under Richmond’s market place during resurfacing works in 2024(Image: North Yorkshire Council)

Bones and clothing found in medieval pits under Richmond's market place have been gifted to a local museum.

In 2024, North Yorkshire Council’s highways officers found the site during resurfacing works. A team of archaeologists was called in, who discovered items such as plant remains, the bones of sheep and pigs and large amounts of leather.

The council said the market place was active between the 13th and 15th centuries, shortly after it had ceased to be the Outer Bailey for the castle and was being incorporated into the settlement. During that period, activity would have included the digging and filling of pits, with at least 36 found during the archaeological works.

It involved leather working which is linked with a leather market in part of the market place. At some point around the late 16th or early 17th century, the area was levelled and surface drainage installed. From then on, the Georgian toll booth appeared which is seen in the historic mapping of the town.

The finds also include a bail pin and the remains of an almost complete shoe. They have now been gifted to Richmondshire Museum, located in Ryders Wynd - close to the market place. They will go on display from September.

North Yorkshire Council’s principal archaeologist, Peter Rowe, said: "It is fantastic to see the medieval items from the market place finding their way back to the town as a resource for local people and visitors. What sets these finds apart is the preservation of organic material that does not normally survive, so we are getting a rare glimpse of a medieval leather industry and some of the products that were manufactured right here in the heart of the town."

Cllr Stuart Parsons (far left), archaeologist John Buglass (second right), with representatives at Richmondshire Museum(Image: North Yorkshire Council)

The council said the finds point to the potential for "widespread, well-preserved remains" under the current market place. Cllr Stuart Parsons, who represents the Richmond division, said: "These discoveries leave open the question as to what else is buried beneath the cobbles of the market place and at the King Street end of the completed works which did not allow for archaeological investigation."

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