Talk to unearth Auckland Palace's secrets

Nearly a decade of archaeological discoveries beneath one of the UK’s most significant medieval sites are set to be explored at a Newcastle talk this autumn.

Dr John Castling, archaeology curator at regeneration charity The Auckland Project, will reveal what eight years of excavations at Auckland Palace, formerly Auckland Castle, have uncovered about the historic home of Durham’s Prince Bishops.

The Bishop’s Palace Beneath the Lawns: Rediscovering Auckland Castle will take place at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House on Friday, November 13 at 1pm as part of its Friday Lunchtime Talks programme.

Since 2018, more than 1000 volunteers, students and aspiring archaeologists have joined excavations led by Durham University and The Auckland Project, uncovering palace walls, towers and gatehouses.

Among the most significant discoveries are the remains of a vast two-storey chapel built by Prince Bishop Antony Bek around 1300, believed to have been the largest of its kind in Britain.

Its footprint is now marked in the courtyard of Auckland Palace’s Faith Museum.

Thousands of objects have also been unearthed, ranging from pottery and building materials to personal possessions offering insights into life at the palace.

They include a tiny double-sided crucifix, now displayed in the Faith Museum, and an elephant ivory-handled knife decorated with gold and silver.

The excavations have attracted national attention, featuring twice on BBC Two’s Digging for Britain as well as on Channel 5.

Dr Castling, who manages archaeology at Auckland Palace and its historic 150-acre Deer Park, as well as Binchester Roman Fort, and is an honorary fellow in Durham University’s Department of Archaeology, said: “The excavations have transformed what we know about medieval Auckland and the extraordinary palace created here by Durham’s Prince Bishops.

“The discoveries range from monumental buildings to small, personal objects, and together they allow us to build a much richer picture of the people who lived, worked and worshipped here. 

“The talk is a chance to share some of those discoveries and show just how much our understanding of Auckland Palace has changed.”

Dr John Castling, archaeology curator at The Auckland Project

While digging has now ended, work continues on more than 300 boxes of finds, with the post-excavation process expected to take around two years.

Selected Fridays also see archaeologists from The Auckland Project and Durham University work in an open laboratory at Hearth on Bishop Auckland Market Place, allowing visitors to watch finds being analysed.

Tickets for the Newcastle talk are priced at £7 and can be booked here.

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