Medieval buildings found in sunken village dig

Medieval timber buildings that could shed new light on what life was like in a village in Leicestershire centuries ago have been discovered.

The items were found by archaeology students from the University of Leicester during a dig at the medieval village in Loddington.

Archaeologists said the finds were evidence of domestic activity at the site, which also featured stone-built structures thought to be associated with Loddington Hall.

Coins, pottery and evidence of domestic activity were found when the site was first excavated in 2025.

The medieval settlement was first found during a trench trial at Loddington Hall in 2008.

However, the site was first fully investigated by the university in 2025, which led to well-preserved medieval and post-medieval features being revealed.

The excavation uncovered numerous post-holes forming roadside structures, set within ditched boundaries.

Pottery from these features included sherds of Stamford Ware, a type of lead-glazed earthenware produced between the 9th and 13th centuries.

The northern part of the trench contained surviving stone walls, tile floors, and a pebbled path likely of a post-medieval dated building.

This year's finds will now be examined by the university's archaeological field school team in the hope they will shed new light on rural settlement, land use, and the changing shape of village life in the area over several centuries.

Director of the project, Dr Philippa Walton from the university's School of Heritage and Culture, said: "Last year's excavations revealed an exceptional range of well-preserved features, and this season we hope to uncover even more evidence about how people lived, worked and shaped the landscape over hundreds of years."

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