Local council announces community dig finds are to be displayed in Boston Guildhall

Boston Borough Council has announced that the archaeological finds from the Rosegarth community dig are to be displayed within Boston Guildhall, with a launch event set to take place on Friday 29 August to mark the start of the display.

Back in October 2024, the community dig took place over a period of two weeks, with volunteers from the local community and beyond joining forces with primary school students from St Thomas' Academy in Boston to discover what lay beneath the ground in Rosegarth Square.

There were hundreds of pieces of pottery, glass, brick, tile, metalwork and shells found on site during the dig, as well as over 500 individual pieces of animal bone or bone fragments found over the two weeks, with experts suggesting a medieval abattoir may have operated in the area.

The finds have now been cleaned, historically verified and documented in a comprehensive report and, following the launch event on Friday 29 August, the artifacts will be displayed in the Boston Guildhall.

This free event will allow visitors to view the artifacts on display, learn about the community dig and even handle some of the finds which are not planned to be displayed publicly going forward.

The finds which are on display will remain at the Guildhall where they can be viewed by residents and visitors after the event has finished. The Guildhall is open four days per week, from Wednesday to Saturday, 10:30am until 3:30pm and is free to visit for all.

Councillor Sarah Sharpe, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Tourism said: "It's incredibly exciting to see the archaeological finds from last year's community dig now proudly displayed at the historic Guildhall. The dig was a truly inspiring event that brought together people of all ages and backgrounds, united by a shared interest in archaeology and Boston's wonderful heritage.

"Now that the finds have been carefully verified and preserved, we are delighted to be able to showcase them in a space that itself holds centuries of history. The Guildhall is not only a fitting venue for these discoveries, but also a symbol of our town's enduring connection to the past.

"We're proud to offer residents and visitors alike the opportunity to view these fascinating artefacts up close. Each item tells a story, and together they help paint a vivid picture of the lives and landscapes that shaped our community."

For the most up-to-date information and updates on the Rosegarth Square project, visit the dedicated project website at https://rosegarthboston.co.uk/