Ancient Tunnel Discovered Under English City

British archaeologists create a 3-D model of the huge cave system under the city of Nottingham. They have made a startling discovery: a secret tunnel, which played for nearly 700 years ago in a political crime is crucial.

Edward III. is considered one of the most successful of the medieval kings of England. As a 14-year-old he ascended the throne in February 1327. In his 50 year reign, he led England to the top of the European military powers.

But before he had his rule through an act of violence – because at his coronation he ruled only on paper. In fact, the power was with the Regent Roger de Mortimer. At 17, Edward III adopted. Finally, a coup against his rival by.

The coup against the de facto ruler of England was spectacular: Edwards men forced their way through a tunnel inside Nottingham Castle, and captured Mortimer. The Regent was sentenced to death in 1330 without trial and hanged.

The official entrance to the tunnel, which became known as Mortimer’s Hole is located next to the Brauhaushof, a complex consisting of 20 houses under the castle rock. But now archaeologists believe to have found the true entrance – in a garden of the Park Estate, an estate in the former deer park of Nottingham Castle.
The discovery was made under the Nottingham Caves Survey, a part of a two-year project, under which more than 450 known sandstone caves of Nottingham to be studied. A laser scanner made by the cave system more and three-dimensional models. All videos can be viewed on the YouTube channel of the project.

Ancient documents do not match the official tunnel

constitutes the case now included “it is almost certainly the genuine Mortimer’s Hole,” said David Walker of the University of Nottingham, the British BBC. In historical documents from a secret passage is the speech in which it is not the day could act as Mortimer’s Hole-known tunnel. Because of this time served to Edwards as a transport route between the castle and the River Leen.

Rather, the passage known today as Northwestern tunnel one by which men would be sneaking up on Edwards Mortimer. “All documents associated with this tiny cave,” said Walker. The passage leads from a house in the Park Estate 30 to 40 meters wide and is partly filled with rubble. Have you overcome this, open up the full height of the tunnel. Stone steps and an arched ceiling were visible. The tour would end in the former central yard – when he would not now sealed.
Dave Green, at the Nottingham City Council is responsible for historic sites, reacted cautiously to the discovery. “The history is always controversial and full of different opinions.” They would tell the public but for future tours of the caves, the new findings – “so people can form their own opinions about which is the real Mortimer’s Hole.”

The Nottingham Caves Survey is only the beginning: So far, archaeologists have recorded only 35 caves completely. “Probably about 150 more are available today,” said Walker.

The bulky equipment to maneuver through the narrow underground passages was not the only challenge for the archaeologists. Many caves are not empty but are still used in everyday life – the extraction of sand or even as pubs.