

The Lincoln Observatory Tower at Lincoln Castle. Image Credit: CC 2.0 Dave Hitchborne

Archaeologists have uncovered a stone sarcophagus thought to contain someone 'terribly important'.

The sarcophagus was unearthed while the castle was being refurbished so that a new center to house the Magna Carta could be built. Among the discoveries were the remains of a church dating back 1,000 years and a number of skeletons.Archaeologists working at the site believe that the stone sarcophagus is likely to be the resting place of a figure of great importance, possibly a Saxon bishop or king. If this turns out to be the case then it would be one of the most important finds in the region for some years."Logistically it's quite a difficult job because the trench is deep and the sarcophagus obviously weighs a lot," said excavation team member Cecily Spall. "It's very unusual for archaeologists to encounter a church which hasn't been detected in historical documents."Lincoln Castle itself was built in the late 11th century by William the Conqueror at the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress and remains a popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the world.