One of the most transformative archaeological efforts in Winchester came with the excavation of Old Winchester, also known as the Roman town of Venta Belgarum. This site, which predates the Anglo-Saxon era, provided crucial evidence about Roman Britain and the urbanization of the island. Excavations have uncovered portions of the Roman walls, roads, and buildings, offering a glimpse into the advanced infrastructure that existed long before the Anglo-Saxon period.

The significance of these excavations cannot be overstated. They revealed that Winchester was already an established urban center in Roman times, and the city’s location was chosen not just for its natural beauty, but for its strategic position in the Roman road network. The Roman influence on Winchester would later shape its development during the Saxon period, as many of the city’s key infrastructure elements were built on or around Roman sites.

Excavations at the Winchester Cathedral

Perhaps the most famous archaeological site in Winchester is the cathedral itself. Construction of the cathedral began in the 11th century and continued for several centuries. Over the years, the cathedral has been the subject of numerous excavations. The work done around the cathedral in the 20th and 21st centuries has yielded fascinating discoveries, including medieval crypts, tombs, and other structures hidden beneath the current building.

In the 1980s, an excavation beneath the cathedral revealed a series of Saxon and medieval graves, suggesting that the site had been a burial ground for centuries before the construction of the current cathedral. The most notable discovery from this excavation was the tomb of the 12th-century bishop William of Wykeham, whose influence helped shape the cathedral and its surroundings.

In addition to the human remains, archaeologists also uncovered a wealth of artifacts, including coins, pottery, and small items of everyday life. These items have provided valuable insights into the daily lives of the people who lived in Winchester over the centuries, from the Saxon era to the medieval period. shutdown123