We’re helping to show the hidden history of one of North East England’s ancient palaces to the public.
The new Open Lab will give people the chance to see hundreds of artefacts found during eight years of excavation at Auckland Palace, in County Durham.
Experts from our Department of Archaeology and The Auckland Project will examine the finds in full view of the public through the windows of Mrs M’s in Bishop Auckland Market Place.
Open Lab will operate every Friday for at least the next year. From 10.30am to 3.30pm, the public will be able to look through the window to see experts working in the open lab.
From 3.30pm to 4.30pm visitors can enter the temporary workspace, handle artefacts, hear updates from the team, and help sort and record finds.
Since 2018, more than 1,000 volunteers, students and aspiring archaeologists have carried out excavations at Auckland Palace.
Their work revealed palace walls, towers, and gatehouses built by the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham.
They also uncovered a two-storey chapel from around 1300 built by Bishop Bek, and a 17th-century mansion built by Sir Arthur Haselrig.
Thousands of objects were found including everyday pottery and building materials, whale baleen, an elephant ivory gold-and-silver-handled knife, intricate wine glasses, and a fortune-telling jet dice.
With over 300 boxes of finds, the post-excavation process is expected to take two years.
John Castling, Archaeology Curator at The Auckland Project (leaning on sign), Professor Chris Gerrard, Department of Archaeology, Durham University (behind sign in blue jumper) with students and volunteers outside the Open Lab. Credit: Stuart Boulton.
A 19th century 'flesh hook' for hanging meat such as might have been used in the bishop's kitchen or pantry. Credit Stuart Boulton.
A 19th century stoneware blacking bottle. It contained a polish for shoes, floors or doorsteps. Credit Stuart Boulton.
Rather than only seeing objects in display cases, this exposes the process behind discovery. It’s hands-on and accessible. We hope it inspires people to learn more about archaeology - and perhaps get involved themselves.
More about our work at Auckland Palace.
The Durham team included Professor Chris Gerrard, Senior Archaeologist Jamie Armstrong, and Archaeological Services.
Associated PhD students included John Castling and Andrew Ferrara. John is the Archaeology Curator at The Auckland Project.
Our Department of Archaeology is ranked sixth in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 and fourth in the Complete University Guide 2026.Visit our Archaeology webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Main banner picture: A late medieval silver penny. The coin has been quartered to reduce its value. Credit Stuart Boulton.
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