Regarding the remains of the castle. A recent phase of archaeological borehole survey has recently completed at the site with the aim of further identifying the remains of the castle. Extensive industrial development over the castle site, in addition to the foundations of multiple phases of markets, mean that a detailed picture of earlier ground levels (and impacts) is required to target archaeological work. Future work will most likely comprise a mixed strategy aimed at recording remains where they would be lost by development or where there are good research questions that could be investigated; and identification of areas where remains can be preserved unexcavated. Archaeology is often compared to a non-renewable resource in that once you have dug it out you have also destroyed it. So it is best practice to leave remains undisturbed for future generations who may have other questions to ask, and new technologies to investigate it.
I disagree- there will never be a better opportunity than this to do justice to the castle's archaelogy after decades of indifference and destruction of the remains of the medieval stronghold underwhich Sheffield grew up.Why have local groups been effectively sidelined from the process by Sheffield City Council South Yorks Archaelogy and Historic England?
Full acknowledgement to Dan Hayes and the Tribune for flagging up local concerns.There is more on this to come.There should be no more remains lost for any reason -any other city would be promoting this almost unique and important medieval archaelogical opportunity.
I agree that more should be made of the remains. But you first need to know what survives first and at what depth and that’s what is currently being done.
Thanks James - I understand that less boreholes have been sunk than were intended-its the long term view of the Council and the failure to involve local groups that is of concern.Appreciate your views and your contribution-wish there were more like you. Regards Ron
The remains should be opened up the public -no more destruction -the remains - gate house- drawbridge pier etc have been neglected by Sheffield City Council for years-that's why they were unable to be seen by the public during the recent Heritage Open Days.
It isn't levelling up if the Outdoor City is going to concrete over the most important outdoor space in its history, that could be a major visitor attraction. We the opportunity to create a new festival space in the city centre where we can celebrate and commemorate everything the city has been involved with in some level over the last thousand years. From the Norman Conquest, to Mary Queen of Scots, the English Civil War and siege of Sheffield, the origins of circus, diversity, those who've lost their lives at sea. Plus the opportunity to create a better, specially designed space for open air markets, big tops, music stages etc. A greenspace here would allow for more rainwater to soak into the ground and reduce the risk of flooding around the site and downstream. Bristol uncovered its castle following the blitz, and created a truly special place in the process. We had the opportunity to create our castle park in the postwar years and threw it away. Here we are with a second chance to create something better and we're scrounging from the government to 'level up' by bringing developers in to cut up this land and make the pockets of rich people who can afford flats, shops, office space etc even richer.
Regarding the remains of the castle. A recent phase of archaeological borehole survey has recently completed at the site with the aim of further identifying the remains of the castle. Extensive industrial development over the castle site, in addition to the foundations of multiple phases of markets, mean that a detailed picture of earlier ground levels (and impacts) is required to target archaeological work. Future work will most likely comprise a mixed strategy aimed at recording remains where they would be lost by development or where there are good research questions that could be investigated; and identification of areas where remains can be preserved unexcavated. Archaeology is often compared to a non-renewable resource in that once you have dug it out you have also destroyed it. So it is best practice to leave remains undisturbed for future generations who may have other questions to ask, and new technologies to investigate it.
Link to the article about the borehole work - https://sheffnews.com/news/milestone-for-castlegate-regeneration-as-geoarchaeological-work-begins
I disagree- there will never be a better opportunity than this to do justice to the castle's archaelogy after decades of indifference and destruction of the remains of the medieval stronghold underwhich Sheffield grew up.Why have local groups been effectively sidelined from the process by Sheffield City Council South Yorks Archaelogy and Historic England?
Full acknowledgement to Dan Hayes and the Tribune for flagging up local concerns.There is more on this to come.There should be no more remains lost for any reason -any other city would be promoting this almost unique and important medieval archaelogical opportunity.
I agree that more should be made of the remains. But you first need to know what survives first and at what depth and that’s what is currently being done.
Thanks James - I understand that less boreholes have been sunk than were intended-its the long term view of the Council and the failure to involve local groups that is of concern.Appreciate your views and your contribution-wish there were more like you. Regards Ron
The remains should be opened up the public -no more destruction -the remains - gate house- drawbridge pier etc have been neglected by Sheffield City Council for years-that's why they were unable to be seen by the public during the recent Heritage Open Days.
It isn't levelling up if the Outdoor City is going to concrete over the most important outdoor space in its history, that could be a major visitor attraction. We the opportunity to create a new festival space in the city centre where we can celebrate and commemorate everything the city has been involved with in some level over the last thousand years. From the Norman Conquest, to Mary Queen of Scots, the English Civil War and siege of Sheffield, the origins of circus, diversity, those who've lost their lives at sea. Plus the opportunity to create a better, specially designed space for open air markets, big tops, music stages etc. A greenspace here would allow for more rainwater to soak into the ground and reduce the risk of flooding around the site and downstream. Bristol uncovered its castle following the blitz, and created a truly special place in the process. We had the opportunity to create our castle park in the postwar years and threw it away. Here we are with a second chance to create something better and we're scrounging from the government to 'level up' by bringing developers in to cut up this land and make the pockets of rich people who can afford flats, shops, office space etc even richer.