Discovery at Coppergate

In 1972, builders constructing a new shopping centre in the Coppergate area of York made a discovery. They were beginning to dig up huge amounts of Viking objects in the ground below the streets of York. Archaeologists were called in to investigate further and soon made startling discoveries about Viking York. They discovered layers of moist and peaty soil that had preserved various organic remains which normally rot away. They found buildings, textiles, leather, seeds and other things that have given clues about life in Viking York.