Archaeologists are on site at Fountains Abbey studying the new layers exposed in the abbey ruins, due to erosion caused by the flash flooding on Friday 15th June.
The abbey has experienced flooding in previous years, but never before to this extent. Sections of river walls, weirs, bridge abutments and some buildings have all suffered damage from the recent torrents, but hardest hit of all is the south side of the abbey cloister.
© NTPL / Mark Newman
The National Trust’s archaeologist for the North, Mark Newman, visited the day after the flash floods to assess and quantify the damage done to the fabric of the estate.
Mr Newman said:
'It was immediately obvious that the erosion had exposed a number of buried masonry structures as well as cutting through stratified archaeological layers. These structures may date from the time of the monastery, or possibly re-use of the former abbey buildings after the Dissolution.'
© NTPL / Andrew Butler
The National Trust has contracted ‘On Site Archaeology’ to undertake the scientific study of the newly exposed layers and recover as much archaeological information as possible from this unfortunate flooding event. Specifically, they will recover any artefacts from the eroded soils and clean up and record the exposed stonework and deposits, so that this information can add to our understanding of the development and use of the abbey.
A public observation area has been set up in the cloisters for visitors and the archaeologists will be happy to answer questions about their work.
© NTPL / Mark Newman
Mr Newman commented:
'Opportunities to look beneath the crust at the abbey are few and far between, the last one being in 1990 during the excavation of a sump for rainwater drainage outside the Chapter House. So we aim to make the most of this latest opportunity to enable us to take the story of Fountains Abbey further.'
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