Digging for history at former leprosy hospital

HUMAN bones and medieval medicine could be found when archaeologists dig up an 11th century hospital in Lincoln this summer. Religious implements and building materials such as tiles could also be unearthed as part of the massive excavation at South Common in July.

- BY LAYCIE BECK [e-mail]

The hospital was initially a leprosarium where people with leprosy in Lincolnshire could admit themselves into.

Dr Samantha Tipper from Anglia Ruskin University, the anthropologist leading the dig, believes it would have been built around 1089.

It was likely in use for around 500 years, which would make it one of the earliest leprosariums in the country.

Dr Tipper said: "This is a huge part of Lincolnshire's history that I think most people don't know anything about and have no idea that there was a hospital here at the common."