Restoration of Elizabeth Castle hospital to begin
York staff and students will work on the building as part of a new project
The remains of the 19th century hospital are in the top right of the site (Image from Jersey Evening Post)
A team of archaeologists from the Department of Archaeology are to begin restoration works at a 19th century hospital in Jersey.
The team, led by Dr Dav Smith, comprises four staff and 15 students from the Department, who will carry out the work from 2 to 9 July and will be particularly focusing on the hospital as well as the remains of an 18th century army barracks.
The castle was originally founded as an abbey in 1155 and has undergone numerous and extensive alterations from the Tudor period through to the Second World War.
Associate Lecturer in Buildings Archaeology Dr Matt Jenkins said that he and the team were "very excited" to be working at Elizabeth Castle.
He said: "The hospital block at Elizabeth Castle is one of the earliest purpose-built hospitals in the UK as the majority of hospitals which existed in the late 18th and early 19th century were usually converted older buildings, which makes Elizabeth Castle particularly interesting.
"And the purpose of excavating the remains of the army barracks is to find remnants for us to study and get a clearer picture of the soldiers’ day-to-day lives back then.
"We are hoping to have a festival of archaeology during the dig and would love to see locals and visitors come out and learn more about the site as a major focus of the visit for us as a team is to get the public engaged in the site’s history."
Read more at https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2018/04/02/restoration-of-elizabeth-castle-hospital-to-begin/#CqX4EIJ30LdfLBHs.99
Visit the website for Elizaabeth Castle at https://www.jersey.com/jersey-heritage-elizabeth-castle