Sinkhole in fashionable part of historic city uncovers massive medieval building
The discovery was announced by the City of York Council on June 9.
The ancient remains were found in a 'void,' or sinkhole, that had recently opened on the street of St Leonard's Place in York in the United Kingdom.
'The archaeological find was discovered as work was taking place to repair the sinkhole on St Leonard's Place,' the council said in a statement.
'The void, which is in the middle of the road outside York Theatre Royal, was made safe before contractors and archaeology teams began investigation works.'
The find is believed to be the remnants of St. Leonard's Hospital — built between the 12th and 13th centuries.
Pictures show ancient bricks hiding several inches beneath the street.
4 'The archaeological find was discovered as work was taking place to repair the sinkhole on St Leonard's Place,' the council said in a statement.
Stephen – stock.adobe.com
The hospital was 'one of the largest' in Northern England during the Middle Ages, the council said.
The property originally stretched from York's Museum Gardens to the city's Theatre Royal, the council's statement noted.
After the English Reformation, the area was used as a royal mint – earning the name 'Mint Yard.'
4 The find is believed to be the remnants of St. Leonard's Hospital — built between the 12th and 13th centuries.
City of York Council
'Mint Yard [was] demolished several hundred years ago and a road made on top of it,' the statement added.
By the 19th century, the city council said, the Mint Yard buildings were 'a warren of residencies, yards and stables and were demolished to make way [for] the new Georgian streetscape in 1836, as it became one of the most fashionable parts of the city at the time.'
The council added, 'The demolished parts of the city walls were then used to create a base for their new road, which we now know as St Leonard's Place.'
4 The hospital was 'one of the largest' in Northern England during the Middle Ages, the council said.
City of York Council
Kate Ravilious, a member of the City of York Council, thanked the public for their patience during the archaeological work.
'We knew that there is a lot of complex archaeology in the area dating back to the Roman legionary fortress,' Ravilious said in a statement.
'Throughout the works, we have been [alert] to this while doing all we can to get off site as quickly as possible. However, these finds, while fascinating, have set our timescales back a bit.'
4 The council added, 'The demolished parts of the city walls were then used to create a base for their new road, which we now know as St Leonard's Place.'
City of York Council
The discovery comes over a month after experts found proof of a gladiatorial fight with a lion in the same English city.
The findings came after experts analyzed a skeleton from a Roman cemetery outside of York. Experts said that gladiators' remains presented 'unusual lesions.'
Fox News Digital reached out to the City of York Council, but did not immediately hear back.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Mercury retrograde in Leo is going after these 4 zodiac signs
Ahoy, star seeds! The second Mercury retrograde of 2025 is upon us, and this one is going down — or slowing down, in Leo, the sign of pick-me bombast, grand gestures, stage lights, and dramatic exits. When does Mercury go into retrograde? 8 Mercury will remain retrograde until August 11th at 3:29 AM when it will station direct at 4°14 Leo. Stellar Bones – Our planet of the mind and the mouth, information and slander, connection and communion, stations retrograde on Friday, July 18th, 2025, at 12:45 AM EST at 15°34 of Leo. Mercury will remain in retrograde until August 11th at 3:29 a.m. when it will station direct at 4°14 Leo. The planet will clear its post-retrograde shadow, or retroshade, on August 25th. What happens during Mercury retrograde? 8 In astrology, Mercury governs cognition and communication, how we gather, process, and disperse knowledge, and exchange ideas with others. zwiebackesser – Mercury is named for the trickster Roman god of thieves, messages and merchants — a wing-footed, loose-tongued psychopomp who escorted the dead to the underworld and carried messages near and far, high and low. In astrology, Mercury governs cognition and communication, how we gather, process and disperse knowledge, and exchange ideas with others. When a planet is retrograde, its energy works in the opposite direction, not necessarily against us, but certainly not as a trusted sidekick. Because Mercury governs the mind, its retrograde triggers challenges in organizing, expressing, and creating order. An astrological PSA: Planets do not ever move backward in space; they merely slow their proverbial rolls, a deceleration that looks like a reversal from our vantage here on beautiful, broken planet Earth. Retrogrades invite us to lean hard and clean into the prefix 're': reimagine, revise, repent, reflect, review, renew, reconcile, resolve, and reorganize so that when the planet moves forward, so, too, can we. This summons to reflect and restrain is especially arduous when Leo is holding court, as the sign is more interested in the expression than contemplation and more likely to roar than ruminate. Mercury in Leo 8 At its brightest expression, Mercury in Leo is a lion-hearted, creative, and stalwart steward of the inner child. Stellar Bones – Leo is the home of the ham, and Mercury is the planet of exchange. When these two energies meet, communication is a bold blend of gregariousness, galvanization, and self-aggrandizement. Mercury is Leo energy oscillates between precocious child star and coercive dictator. When Mercury is moving forward in Leo, the energy oscillates between precocious child star and coercive dictator, wherein charm and expertly timed tantrums are used to yield desired results. Yet, when Mercury retrogrades in Leo, we're asked to examine why and when we express to impress and how we can lead with listening and temper our tempers with compassion. At its brightest expression, Mercury in Leo is a lion-hearted, creative, and stalwart steward of the inner child. While words are a tripwire and tempers a flare gun during Mercury retrograde, channeling this fire into the healthy outlet of creative expression can be a beautiful redirect; think dancing over rage texting, painting over pontificating, and hugging yourself tightly versus hurling hurt at others. How often does Mercury go into retrograde? Mercury goes retrograde three to four times a year, typically for about three weeks. Mercury retrograde in July 8 The ethos of this retrograde is to speak true but sit tight. Stellar Bones – Common symptoms of Mercury's retrograde include travel delays, brain fog, unexpected or renewed conflict, sexts sent to the wrong recipient, general malaise, and frequent misunderstandings. In a recent episode of 'The Bear,' one character assures another, 'Honesty is sanity,' and never is the parable more applicable than during a Mercury retrograde. That being said, and if you'll excuse the platitude, timing is everything. In tandem, the ethos of this retrograde is to speak true but sit tight. Is there a Mercury retrograde right now? Because Mercury retrograde is going down — or back, as it were—in fixed sign, those with personal planets falling in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius will feel these effects most acutely — particularly those with planets or angles between 4 and 15 degrees. 8 Taurus will be feeling it this month. Stellar Bones – Mercury's retrograde is hitting team Taurus in the trigger-rich realm of family origins. It would be easy, and in keeping with tradition, for you to meet challenging family dynamics with bitterness, stoicism, or seething resentment. However, Mercury retrograde presents an opportunity to defy expectations and revise strategy. The last thing they'll see coming and the quickest route to shock and awe? An apology. Allow me to clarify with the sage advice of author Mark Matthews, 'Apologizing does not always mean you're wrong and the other person is right. It just means you value your relationship more than your ego.' 8 It'll feel like a transitional period for Leos. Stellar Bones – Ahoy Leo! Mercury is retrograding in your first house, which represents the self. You may feel more like a dented tin cup than a shiny penny during this transit as the planet's backpedal makes you question your identity, usually unshakable confidence, and conversational prowess. However, it is precisely this kind of self-inquiry that can help you evolve in the way you communicate, teaching you to deepen your listening skills and approach each interaction as an opportunity to understand, rather than respond. 8 Who are you trying to please, and does your ladder have a limit, Scorpios? Stellar Bones – Merry retrograde parade to you, Scorpio. This one is rounding the backstroke bases in your tenth house of legacy and personal purpose. Where do you want to be, and are you making moves that support that course? As Mercury retrograde encourages us to review and revise, use this time to determine whether your idea of success is inborn or born of outside influence. Who are you trying to please, and does your ladder have a limit? 8 Mercury retrograde is coming correct for your seventh house of trusted partnerships, Aquarius. Stellar Bones – What messages, verbal, psychic, and physical, are you sending to your nearest and dearest, Aquarius? Further, what communicative currents are picking up on that you have thus far failed to address? Mercury retrograde is coming correct for your seventh house of trusted partnerships, a summons to review what you spew and meditate on how you reciprocate. You are not only capable but divinely designed to exchange with others in ways that serve your better angels and the principles of equality. Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
Chicago Tribune
17 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
ILEARN scores rising in math for Indiana students, flat in English/language arts
Six Lake County and five Porter County school districts topped the state's ILEARN combined math and English/language arts 31.2% pass rate in results announced Wednesday. Schools administered the Indiana Learning Evaluation and Assessment Readiness Network (ILEARN) in the spring. and statewide scores showed improvement in math, while English/language arts remained flat, officials said. 'While we continue to see students growing in math proficiency, this year's results remind us all of the need to continue our focus in both early and adolescent literacy,' said Gov. Mike Braun in a state release from the Department of Education. Statewide, 40.6% of Indiana's students are at or above proficiency standards in ELA, and 42.1% of students are at or above proficiency standards in math. It's up 0.1 and 5.2 percentage points, respectively, since 2021, ILEARN's baseline year with lowered scores blamed on the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2021, math pass rates have increased for all student populations. Still battling an achievement gap, Wednesday's report showed Black students had year-over-year increases in both ELA and math (0.9 and 2 percentage points, respectively) and had the highest percentage point increase of all students in ELA. Also, Black and Hispanic students had the highest year-over-year percentage point increases of all students in math (2 percentage points). Indiana students will take a redesigned ILEARN exam next year spaced over different periods in the school year. It was piloted in more than 1,000 schools last year. The redesigned exam will feature three 'checkpoints' and a shortened summative assessment at the end of the school year. Officials said the checkpoints will provide improved real-time student data to better support learning throughout the year, rather than waiting until the end of the year for results. 'While we are positively moving and improving in math, there is an urgent need to support middle school students in English/language arts,' said Secretary of Education Katie Jenner. Locally, students in the Duneland School Corp. in Chesterton fared the best with a combined pass rate of 53.6%, more than 20 points above the state pass rate. 'Our students, teachers and families continue to work together in the spirit of student achievement,' said Superintendent Chip Pettit. 'I'm excited to see their hard work paying off. We're also equally proud of the growth students are showing on a year-to-year basis.' Students in the School Town of Munster were close behind with a 53.3% pass rate. Nine Lake County districts improved their combined scores from last year, while three Porter County districts improved scores. Porter-based Discovery Charter School's 36.6% pass rate was the lone charter to eclipse the state pass rate. Four of the 10 local charters posted improved scores over last year. The private Diocese of Gary, with 20 schools, bested the state pass rate with a 40% mark. The state also released the 2025 SAT results, which represent the required high school assessment for federal accountability. Students take the SAT in 11th grade. The state passing score is the same as the national pass rate, per state law. Students who met the evidence-based reading and writing portion of the SAT improved 2.7% with 54.5% meeting the cut score of 480. In math, just 25.4% met the national cut score of 530. ILEARN results for Grades 3-8* English/math pass 2023-24 2024-25 Indiana 30.8% 31.2% Lake County Hanover Central 39% 40.5% River Forest Community 11.4% 9.7% Merrillville Community 18.2% 19.6% Lake Central 39.8% 41.8% Tri-Creek 42.1% 39.8% Lake Ridge New Tech 4.2% 4.9% Crown Point Community 41.1% 46.8% School City of East Chicago 6.7% 7.7% Lake Station Community 9.5% 8.4% Gary Community 3% 3.5% Griffith Public Schools 24.9% 24% School City of Hammond 7.7% 7.5% School Town of Highland 33.6% 33.9% School City of Hobart 30.1% 29.8% School Town of Munster 55.9% 53.3% School City of Whiting 23.3% 24.4% Porter County MSD Boone Township 36.1% 30.5% Duneland School Corp. 54.5% 53.6% East Porter County 39.9% 39.6% Porter Township 36% 39.8% Union Township 55.2% 51.9% Portage Township 20.4% 21.6% Valparaiso Community 51.3% 52.7% Charter schools Charter School of the Dunes 2.9% 4.8% Thea Bowman 6.9% 5.7% Gary Lighthouse 5.9% 6% 21st Century 9.2% 10.8% East Chicago Urban 19.2% 19% Aspire 16.2% 15.5% HAST 13.8% 15.6% Discovery Charter 37.1% 36.6% Steel City 6.7% 4.5% HIAT (Higher Institute) 15.8% 4.4% Diocese of Gary 38.2% 40%
Business Wire
19 hours ago
- Business Wire
University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies Releases White Paper on Rural Schooling Characteristics
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has released a new white paper, 'The G.R.O.W. Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce™ Report and Probing the Unique Characteristics of Rural Schooling: A Narrative Inquiry,' by James Lane, Ed.D., senior research fellow with the University's Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR). In the paper, the author analyzes G.R.O.W. Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce™ report findings to contextual a narrative study of significant experiences and insights of current and retired educators who teach or have taught within small rural distant schools, in order to better understand characteristics that make these schools unique fabrics within the American educational tapestry. 'The narrative inquiry revealed shared characteristics in rural areas even though the participants were geographically disparate,' Lane shares. 'The findings may provide value to those leading rural schools as well as those who train and prepare rural educators, and who shape public policies impacting those communities.' Applying an analytical mode of narrative inquiry, Lane delves into experiences of rural educators and identifies similar characteristics including care, community and family, as well as limited college and career preparation, with contributors of geographic isolation and poverty. The author offers context for the narrative inquiry through related data findings from the G.R.O.W. report, which revealed distinctions between rural and urban workforce, their demographic makeup, and their career perspectives. Lane is a faculty member in the College of Doctoral Studies ACCESS program, facilitating doctoral courses and serving dissertation committees as panel validator, and has worked with University of Phoenix since 2006 in various roles. He served as a public school educator for 37 years as an English teacher, district language arts supervisor, and middle school assistant principal and principal. Lane earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership at University of South Florida, where he also completed a master's in Educational Leadership, a master of arts in English, and a bachelor's degree in English-Mass Communications Education. The full white paper is available on the University of Phoenix Career Institute® webpage or as a direct link here. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor's and master's degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit About the College of Doctoral Studies University of Phoenix's College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today's challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College's research program is built around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader Model which puts students in the center of the Doctoral Education Ecosystem® with experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.
