Dig to uncover Lincoln's medieval leprosy hospital

A three-year archaeology project is set to uncover more of one of England's earliest and largest leprosy hospitals, on Lincoln's South Common.

Anglia Ruskin University and City of Lincoln Council have been awarded £248,139 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Hidden Histories Unearthed. The project will explore the Hospital of the Holy Innocents, founded around the late 11th or early 12th century and thought to have been used for around 500 years.

It follows a pilot last year, when more than 100 volunteers aged from 4 to 85 dug 41 test pits and found boundary walls, building surfaces and medieval objects.

Led by bioarchaeologist Dr Samantha Tipper, the new project will involve the University of Lincoln, local volunteers, groups and schools. It will also include history café talks and heritage activities.

Source: City of Lincoln Council press release, https://www.lincoln.gov.uk/news/article/503/city-of-lincoln-council-partners-with-anglia-ruskin-university-to-unearth-medieval-leprosy-hospital