Oxford is a city in England that is well known for its prestigious university and heritage dating back to the 9th century. Organized tours help Oxford visitors discover this historic university town that has fascinated visitors and historians for hundreds of years, with many secrets hidden beneath its cobblestone streets. A proximity of 60 miles allows for a unique journey with historical stops on a road trip between Oxford and London, the British capital.
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Archeologists during the Victorian era found clues outside the Bodleian Library at Oriel College hinting at Oxford's original boundaries, but they were left with more questions than answers. More recently, archeologists working on an excavation site near the college made a surprising discovery that may have solved this 125-year-old mystery.
The excavation revealed the remains of defensive structures dating back to when fortified Oxford protected its earliest residents from Viking attacks. These findings have reshaped what archeologists previously thought about the city's original borders and its relationship with other kingdoms of the time. In this article, we'll explore the history of this discovery and why it is so significant.
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What Is The History Of Excavation In Oxford?
Archeologists have previously found clues near the University of Oxford
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This isn't the first time archeologists have found ancient clues in Oxford. The University of Oxford has been the location of many archaeological excavations in the past.
The 1899 Oriel College Excavation
During the 1899 excavation at Oriel College, archeologists uncovered an ancient wall believed to be the city's original northeastern corner. The discovery sparked theories about the smaller size of Oxford's original boundaries and defense systems against the Vikings during the Anglo-Saxon period, but there was not enough evidence to prove these theories true.
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The 2008 St. John's College Excavation
Just a stone's throw away, at St. John's College in 2008, archeologists found the remains of 35 Vikings at the site of a 4,000-year-old Neolithic monument. Scientists who conducted radiocarbon dating on the bones said the bodies were most likely dumped into a mass grave between 960 AD and 1020 AD. The skeletons also had burns, blades, and puncture wounds on them, signaling that they may have been victims of the 1002 AD St. Brice's Day Massacre.
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These findings gave scientists and historians insight into the violent history the Anglo-Saxons had with the Vikings, as well as more precise locations of the battles between them.
Excavation Location
Excavation Year
Excavation Findings
What They Tell Us
Oriel College
1899
Ancient wall believed to be Oxford's original northeastern corner
The city's original boundaries may have been smaller than previously thought, but there was no concrete proof at the time.
St. John's College
2008
A 4,000-year-old Neolithic monument containing a mass grave of 35 Vikings
The relationship between the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings was explicitly violent, with battles occurring within city boundaries.
What Did Archeologists Discover In 2024?
The 2024 excavation was different from the ones in the past
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The most recent archaeological excavation began during a renovation project at Oriel College's bar and kitchen. Oxford Archaeology, an organization dedicated to archaeological investigation and research, came in to survey the site.
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During the survey, they uncovered what remained of a large ditch 9.8 feet deep and 66 feet wide running north to south that once served as Oxford's original eastern defensive line.
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The Significance of This Discovery
Unlike previous excavations, this discovery allowed scientists to make concrete conclusions about Oxford's size. The findings proved that the city in 900 AD was, indeed, a lot smaller than present-day Oxford, finally solving the 125-year-old hypothesis.
Archeologists also gained insight into the defensive strategies used for protection against the Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries.
In addition to being part of a defense network with the neighboring kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia, archeologists found that Oxford's original perimeter was square and inspired by Roman wall designs like the rare and well-preserved Roman Mint Wall in England or the famous Hadrian's Wall in Romes fort Vindolanda.
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Although they no longer stand, Roman-built walls in Oxford would have been high and crafted from thick stone with small gateways and evenly-spaced towers. This design, of ancient Roman walls that can be seen in bucket-list-worthy sites around the world, provided cover for people using artillery in battle.
Excavation Location
Excavation Year
Excavation Findings
What They Tell Us
Oriel College
2024
Large ditch that served as Oxford's original eastern defensive line
Oxford's city boundaries were significantly smaller in 900 AD than in the present day and were modeled after Roman designs.
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How Are Archeologists Studying The Findings?
Technology has helped archeologists learn more about the beginning of Oxford's history
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The ditch was filled with deposits and had been built over upon discovery, making signs of the defenses invisible. However, archeologists could still measure the ditch by extracting earth cores using special equipment.
Based on the findings from the extracted earth and charred plants, they estimated that the ditch was most likely created between 880 and 950 AD. This aligns with the estimated time period in which Oxford was founded.
Ditch Creation Date Range:
880-950 AD
How Scientists Determined the Range:
By extracting cores of earth and charred plants using special equipment.
What the Findings Tell Us:
The ditch was created around the same time that Oxford was founded.
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What's Next for This Excavation Site?
According to Oxford Archaeology senior project manager Ben Ford, scientists will further investigate to help reveal precisely when the ditch was created. They hope it will answer their questions regarding Oxford's inception and how the modern-day city came to be.
While visiting the excavation site is not possible, Oriel College still accepts visitors who want to tour other parts of the campus .