Contour Archaeology Ltd’s digs explore Newark’s history at former M&S site

Layers of history have been unearthed in the centre of Newark, giving a glimpse into what life would have been like years ago.

Archaeologists from Contour Archaeology Ltd have been hard at work at the former M&S site at 32 Stodman Street over recent weeks, unearthing everything from an intact horse burial to wells and a medieval wall.

While modern works on the site have caused significant damage to the archaeology in the past, what is now being unearthed still offers a range of clues about life dating back to the 10th Century.

The site is currently at a range of depths, down to the Anglo-Saxon layer, with pits dug around remaining foundations to explore areas of interest.

One of the visible features is part of a medieval wall, towards the centre of the site, which has solid sides made of stones, with more rubble-like stones filling the centre.

Senior archaeologist Neil Jefferson, of Contour Archaeology Ltd, said: “There’s been a lot of modern damage, there’s a lift shaft, it’s disappointing but it is a nice base of a medieval wall.

“If the damage had just been half a metre higher we would have a lot more here, we can’t tell if it would have carried straight on, or turned right.”

The damage also means the key indicators of how the site was used by its historic occupiers — the ‘rubbish’ left around settlements — isn’t clear, but small amounts of rubbish and boundaries suggest in the early medieval period, the 10th Century, it could have been some kind of farmstead with homes and space to keep animals.

The distribution of sand towards the lower part of the site and larger rocks towards the higher part also suggest the creation of a basic rampart, a simple defensive structure or boundary for the town. The natural incline of the site making it a “perfect location” for the mound.

The rampart was likely improved during the civil war — and subject to further dating could link in with the lime kilns, a well and a lime mixing area towards the Lombard Street side of the site.

Neil added: “What you look for is the rubbish surrounding the features… we’re really not getting any of the rubbish to go with it.

“With the location I would suggest it to be within the housing area of the town, where we would also see industry, but there is no evidence.”

The discovery of an intact horse skeleton — unfortunately with its back legs trapped beneath a modern concrete foundation — was an unusual find.

“You generally don’t want waste anything, so if an animal dies you eat it,” he explained.

“So to find one intact was quite unusual.”

Other finds have included a fragment of Anglo-Saxon pottery, roof tiles, metalwork, and animal bones, such as boar’s tusks as well as cow and sheep bones, indicative of medieval Newarker’s diets.

Glyn Hughes, exhibitions and collections manager at the National Civil War Centre, where some of the finds will be displayed as part of the collection, added: “I think its amazing, and tells us so much about Newark’s history, revealing things we never thought we’d see again.

“It is a window into the past and how people lived then — they needed pottery to eat from, fresh water to drink.

“The horse also speaks to Newark as a connection, with the Fosse Way and River Trent, people stopping in and stabling their horses. It is very much the gateway to the north in that respect.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the finds come into the collection and help build a broader picture of Newark’s history… and getting analysis of how old the horse is, how big it was. Archaeology can help tell us these things.

“I’ve never displayed a horse before, it will be a good challenge, and some of the pottery will enhance our existing collections.”

The archaeology work is part of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s plans to transform the former M&S building on Stodman Street into a mix of retail and residential spaces, to give the area a new lease of life.

Work has paused briefly to allow for the exploration, but is still on track for the next phase beginning in September, with completion in 2026.

Council leader Paul Peacock also visited the site to see the archaeology for himself, and said: “It’s the first time I’ve seen the dig, and it’s really exciting both for the build and the archaeology.

“I didn’t know this was here, but it is not surprising. Newark is a historical town and has been here for thousands of years. When you start digging you’re bound to find something.

“Newark has got a lot going for it, it’s history is one of those things and being able to explore it is great.”

Stepnell’s Stephen Gorski, project manager, added: “As a principle contractor it has been fantastic to be involved in this, and help the people of Newark find out what was underground and how people lived in the Medieval and Anglo-Saxon times.”