Hidden medieval town layout found metres beneath site of proposed new car park in Dudley

© Courtesy DMBC

Archaeologists say pottery remains from more than 800 years ago come from a “hidden town” beneath the site of a proposed new £2.5 million car park in Dudley.Two initial trenches have been exposed and a further three are set to be excavated on Tower Street, in the shadow of the town’s 11th century ruined castle fortress.“We have dug down about 2.5 metres and have exposed a period of history spanning around 800 years,” says Dr George Nash, of SLR Consultants.“The dig has uncovered some pieces of 12th century pottery.“More importantly, it has highlighted what we already knew about the wonderful hidden town layout under Dudley, which is one of the best in the country for medieval towns.”The 225-space car park will be created as part of a range of regeneration plans by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, whose cabinet member for transportation, Khursid Ahmed, called the discoveries “fascinating”.