York Minster’s magnificent architecture with its medieval stained glass and handcrafted stonework tells the stories of the cathedral, the region and the Christian faith through the last eight centuries.

But travel below the Minster’s floor and you’ll discover a history dating back 2,000 years, to the Roman city of Eboracum, the Viking strong-hold of Jorvik and a 9^th century northern centre of power.

Two archaeological excavations during the last 50 years have unearthed layers of history, shedding new light not just on the story of the Minster’s site, but also the story of the city of York.

The project uncovered evidence of a Roman barracks beneath the cathedral, which housed both the ninth and the sixth legions of the Roman Empire which were based at different times in the city of Eboracum, originally established in 71AD. In 306 Constantine the Great was proclaimed emperor in the city, which proved a key turning point in the history of Christianity as he later granted toleration for the Christian Church.  A column from the barracks’ Principia – or headquarters – unearthed during the excavations has been reconstructed and now stands on the South Piazza, outside the Minster’s South Transept.

Other finds included evidence of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and the foundations of the Norman Minster – the forerunner of the present cathedral.

Other findings included evidence of a mid-11th century burial – the later era of Viking York. Archaeologists unearthed a cist burial – a type of grave – which was partly destroyed during work to build the medieval Minster in 1220. Archaeologists already knew there was a cemetery on the site, but the finding has helped extend knowledge of the types of burial which took place here, and also the area the cemetery occupied, supporting evidence that the site was used as a burial ground for generations by both Anglo-Saxon and Viking residents.

Archaeological discoveries from both excavations can be seen in the cathedral’s Undercroft Museum.