Carvings may hold the key to bones mystery

A piece of sandstone has been found alongside ancient bones in Nottingham city centre with carvings on it which could give a clue to the identity of the remains.

A sandstone and an arrow head have been found during the dig
on Maid Marion Way [Credit: Mark Fear/Nottingham Post]

Workmen from North Midland Construction uncovered the bones on Tuesday, March 25, when digging outside Castle Sound & Vision, in Maid Marian Way.

On Thursday, March 27, they were identified as human, but today it was revealed that a piece of local sandstone with carvings was found in the hole as well, along with arrowheads.

Archaeologists who are analysing the bones on behalf of Nottingham City Council say that carbon dating tests will need to be carried out to establish the precise age of the remains.

Archaeologist Doug Skelton said: �We will carry out further tests to pinpoint the precise age but we�re confident that we�re looking at bones from the medieval period.

�Of interest also is that we�ve been analysing other items that were found with the bones and can confirm that these include remnants of arrowheads dating from the same period.�

Robert Moyle, chief executive of North Midland Construction, said his firm�s work was still on hold because of the investigation. �We�re all holding our breath that we have excavated the remains of Robin Hood � such is the proximity of the remains to the castle,� he said.

�How apt if he is unearthed on Maid Marian Way!�

Source: Nottingham Post [March 29, 2014]