Information on Loughborough

Story behind ancient timbers revealed at Snibston Discovery Museum 2010

Posted on 15/01/2010

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

15 January 2010

Story behind ancient timbers revealed at Snibston Discovery Museum 2010

The history behind three medieval bridges discovered in Leicestershire will be revealed in a special book launch at the region’s largest science and technology museum on Tuesday 26th January, 2010.

Rescue excavations at Hemington Quarry, Leicestershire, between 1993 and 1998 revealed three successive medieval bridges preserved beneath gravel bar deposits and alluvium. This crossing over the River Trent was part of a major national route, the King's Highway, linking London and the south to Derby and the north.

First discovered by retired local GP, Chris Salisbury, in 1993, Leicestershire County Council funded Leicester University’s archaeology team to study and excavate the site. Sections of the 11th century bridge were so large that they had to be lifted by eight people.

Following their excavation, these nationally important timbers have been undergoing an innovative conservation process. Over the past 16 years, the bridge timbers have been immersed in a sugar solution generously supplied by British Sugar. Since 1993 the company has delivered around 70 tonnes of liquid sugar to Leicestershire County Council, free of charge, to undertake this process. Earlier this year, the timbers were moved to a drying chamber for the final stages of the conservation process at Snibston Discovery Museum.

The book presents the results of a multi-disciplinary study that examined the bridges' structural technology, stone and woodworking practices, geomorphological context, chronology and historical context. Particular emphasis is placed upon the earliest structure, built c. AD 1097, this being a unique survival of Saxo-Norman timber engineering and vernacular architecture.

Susan Ripper, the Site Director explained: "The carpentry and architecture of the 11th century bridge represents a crucial moment in British building history. It combines the "earthfast" (based in the ground) building technology of Anglo-Saxon England with the timber-frame technology which became common-place a century later."

Dr Patrick Clay, Director, University of Leicester’s Archaeological Service said: "The Hemington bridges are a nationally important site and the well-preserved timbers provide first-class display potential."

Ernie White, County Council Cabinet Member for Museums, said: “We are deeply appreciative of the support, advice and expertise of a lot of people over many years which includes British Sugar, Poole Museum, York Archaeological Trust and the University of Leicester. We are now looking forward to the next stages of this project which will focus on making them more accessible to the wider public.”

Ends

Notes to editor

1. Contact details

For further information, please contact Sarah Oakden-Nancarrow on 01530 278 444, or visit www.snibston.com.

2. Photo opportunity

There will be a photo opportunity on 26th January at 12.40 for the book launch and to view the timbers. Viewings before 26th January by arrangement.

3. Snibston visitor figures

From April 2008 to March 2009 Snibston achieved a total of 128,043, 98,043 gallery visitors, and almost 30,000 visitors to the country park and free exhibitions. This year to date has seen a 4% increase in visitors. Year on year, since 2005 there has been a 37.6% increase in paid admissions.

4. Renaissance East Midlands Flagships Programme

Snibston has been successful in its application to the programme as a Flagship Visitor Attraction – confirmed on Friday 4th December, 2009. It is also a key player in Leicestershire County Council’s two other applications which focus on Volunteering and Learning. The Flagships Programme is part of the Renaissance East Midlands 2009-2011 Business Plan designed to help museums share experiences, raise standards and excellence in three areas – Learning Providers, Volunteering and Visitor Attractions.