An ancient Anglo-Saxon "centre of power" has been found near a castle in Yorkshire

Archaeologists working at Skipsea Castle in East Yorkshire have announced a series of rare finds that are changing perceptions of life in England on the eve of the Norman Conquest. The excavations are being led by a team from the University of York: near the later Norman castle, researchers have recorded evidence of high-status Anglo-Saxon housing and economic activity.

What they found

According to project participants and publications about the excavations, the site revealed several objects that are considered rare markers of an "elite" place in England of this period:

• The Great Timber Hall - estimated by the University of York to be probably older than the castle and may have been used for receptions, feasts and meetings, with extensive moat enclosure traced around it.
• A building interpreted as a malt house/malthouse - it has been associated with the production of malt for beer; reports of finds mention evidence of a kiln/drying area and earthen features.
• A square buried structure with timber and mortar, which is interpreted as the base/"cellar" of a wooden tower (its possible function in discussions ranges from watchtower to bell or church tower).

Taken together, this suggests a 'lordly centre' - a place where power, resources and public life were concentrated in the late Anglo-Saxon period.

Why Skipsea is important

The location itself has long intrigued researchers. The University of York has previously shown that the giant hill on which Skipsea stands has long been thought to be a Norman 'motte', but dating suggests a much earlier origin. English Heritage also writes that the mound is recognised as an Iron Age monument and dates to about 2,500 years ago; the hillfort measures about 85m in diameter and 13m high.

An additional historical context is possessions: archaeologists emphasise that the area was later associated with the era of the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, Harold Godwinson (although there is no direct evidence of his residence specifically at Skipsea).