The team from Chichester and District Archaeology Society, led by Chichester District Council’s archaeologist James Kenny, found the Norman military structure during their current excavation in Priory Park, Chichester.
Other discoveries made include fragments of decorative floor tiles from the late medieval period and roofing materials and other floor tile remains believed to be from the Tudor period.
The dig began on May 21 and is set to end on Monday.
It is the seventh dig to take place at the site, with last year’s dig uncovering the remains of a ditch and the foundations of a building that was part of a medieval Franciscan Friary.
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James Kenny said: “We have been continuing the work that we did last year, focusing on the park’s Norman history, and we’ve been fortunate enough to uncover the structure of a bridge that would have spanned the ditch surrounding the central mound, or ‘motte’.
“This is an exciting discovery because this is the first time since the Middle Ages that people have been able to view what would have been a very impressive military defensive system.
“As part of the excavation, we have found key architecture that would have formed the structure of the bridge, including a robust corner block — or ‘quoin’ — made of limestone, which would have been imported for the purpose.
“We have also discovered putlog holes, which are holes that oak beams would have been inserted into to help form a scaffolding system that would have been used while building the structure.
“The level of the putlog holes indicates that the ground level at the time would have been at least six feet lower, but could have been much deeper.
“The structure is extremely impressive and solidly constructed.”
Norman soldiers would have used this bridge as a means of protecting the city’s castle.
They would have crossed the bridge on wooden beams over the masonry — on foot, by horse, or with carts — and then removed the beams after use so that invaders wouldn’t be able to cross to the motte.
“Our finds indicate that the bridge may have been constructed in phases as the Normans settled and the castle was used on a more permanent basis,” Mr Kenny continued.
“Our work has been informed by a series of geophysics and ground-penetrating radar scans that were carried out in 2022, which indicated a large structure and helped us to pinpoint where we should be digging.
“It’s very rewarding to be able to include the wider community in what we are doing and help people understand the amazing history under their feet.”
An open day is being held today at the site for people to hear about this year’s dig findings.
Talks will be given at 10am, midday and 3pm.
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