Archaeologists uncover medieval well within walls of Sheffield Castle
With an attacking army outside the castle walls, those inside would have needed water within the castle boundaries for their survival
Archaeologist have uncovered a medieval well within the walls of Sheffield Castle thought to have been vital for survival during the sieges of the Civil War.
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Located within the Norman motte, or castle mound, the well is lined with stones at the top and cuts through solid bedrock.
Wessex Archaeology, working alongside FlyThru, sent a drone down the 12.5-metre shaft, taking photos to create a 3D model of its interior which show it still holds water at the bottom.
Ashley Tuck, Research Manager at Wessex Archaeology, said: “This was an exciting day at Sheffield Castle.
“The medieval well would have been indispensable for the people who lived and worked in the castle day-to-day and especially so during times of siege.
“With an attacking army outside the castle walls, those inside would have needed water within the castle boundaries for their survival.”
The survey and wider excavation of the castle form part of Sheffield City Council’s Castlegate Regeneration Project, funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
The excavation is being conducted by Wessex Archaeology, working in tandem with site construction and with oversight from construction engineering specialists, Aureos.