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Experts believe they may have found the exact part of Pembroke Castle where Henry VII was born.

Historians have long known that Henry, who became Henry VII after the battle of Bosworth, was born in Pembroke Castle but they were never sure of the exact location.

Now, following a two week excavation, archaeologists believe they have found the part of the castle where he was born.

They have uncovered a large, "high status" building which seems to have been different from much of the rest of the castle because it was used for residential purposes.

(Image: Dyfed Archaeological Trust) (Image: Dyfed Archaeological Trust) (Image: Dyfed Archaeological Trust)

According to James Meek from the Dyfed Archaeological Trust , which led the excavation, they have long known there was a building there but hadn't confirmed it was residential.

"We have known about the room for many years since an excavation in the 1930’s," he said.

"It appears to be a residential building. There are cobbled floors, a cesspit and two spiral staircases.

"It has also shown up as parch marks. They have always shown up in the castle but this year has been particularly good."

These pictures show the latest excavation compared to the one in the 1930's

Parch marks, also known as crop marks, are marks that appear on vegetation during hot weather. It suggests that the foundations of buildings remain beneath the ground.

The building is about the size of two tennis courts and would have made a far more pleasant place to give birth than the inner part of the castle.

"It is a large stone building," said Mr Meek.

"It is not a stable, it is not a barn - it is a domestic building.

"It seems to be medieval in date based on its layout compared to other buildings of the time.

"It is a high status building. If that was there when Henry Tudor was born it is more likely it would have been in a structure like that than in the towers or administrative buildings.

"We can probably never prove the exact spot he was born.

"The reason for the excavation was we were trying to confirm that it is late medieval.

"We won't know for certain until the analysis is done. However everything is pointing towards that."

(Image: Dyfed Archaeological Trust) (Image: Dyfed Archaeological Trust)

The dig was funded by the Castle Studies Trust and attracted a huge amount of volunteers.

Mr Meek said: "We asked members of the public to take part and hundreds of people volunteered."

The project itself was the brainchild of Neil Ludlow, who is a castle expert and is currently writing a book about Pembroke Castle.