OUR look back at the construction of the City Walls Road last week gave us an idea for this week’s look back at Worcester’s history – or, to be more precise – to dig into its past.

A quick root through our files at London Road uncovered a host of cuttings and photographs, mainly centred on the huge dig at Deansway in the late 1980s, but also stories on the various skulls, pipes, coins and so forth that tell the tale of the city down the centuries.

Even more impressive was the fact that archaeologist wasn’t misspelt once – although there was one “grizzly” find which slipped through the net.

Do you remember any of the stories featured here?

Perhaps you can tell us about something of interest you’ve found while digging in your garden, or maybe uncovered while having work done at your house?

You can let us know by contacting our community content editor at barry.kinghorn@newsquest.co.uk

Worcester News: Budding archaeologist Elizabeth Milton with part of a clay pipe in April 1994Budding archaeologist Elizabeth Milton with part of a clay pipe in April 1994

Worcester News: Assistant field officer John Darlington with the lines of a Roman field uncovered during the Deansway digAssistant field officer John Darlington with the lines of a Roman field uncovered during the Deansway dig

Worcester News: The grisly find comes from a story in May 1993 after a human skull thought to date from the Civil War was uncovered by a St John’s resident digging at the bottom of his gardenThe grisly find comes from a story in May 1993 after a human skull thought to date from the Civil War was uncovered by a St John’s resident digging at the bottom of his garden Worcester News: The final stages of the Bull Entry dig in June 1989 as the Bryant Construction teams move in with their buildings on the rightThe final stages of the Bull Entry dig in June 1989 as the Bryant Construction teams move in with their buildings on the right

Worcester News: September 1989 and the county’s new full-time archaeology officer was appointed. Malcolm Cooper had plenty of experience, having spent 18 months as assistant director of the massive Deansway digSeptember 1989 and the county’s new full-time archaeology officer was appointed. Malcolm Cooper had plenty of experience, having spent 18 months as assistant director of the massive Deansway dig

Worcester News: July 1995 and archaeologists were looking for Saxon remains rumoured to have been buried under Lyppard Grange, which was to be developed for a new pubJuly 1995 and archaeologists were looking for Saxon remains rumoured to have been buried under Lyppard Grange, which was to be developed for a new pub

Worcester News: Ancient crop marks seen during an airborne survey carried out over Bredon Hill, near Pershore, in July 1996Ancient crop marks seen during an airborne survey carried out over Bredon Hill, near Pershore, in July 1996

Worcester News: Archaeologist Mike Glyde, centre, pictured in July 1996 with pilot Don Green, right, and Ashley Green after an aerial survey found a 1,500-year-old Roman road, burial mounds and other Iron Age landmarksArchaeologist Mike Glyde, centre, pictured in July 1996 with pilot Don Green, right, and Ashley Green after an aerial survey found a 1,500-year-old Roman road, burial mounds and other Iron Age landmarks

Worcester News: February 1985 and there archaeologists are hard at work under a former car park at the top of DoldayFebruary 1985 and there archaeologists are hard at work under a former car park at the top of Dolday

Worcester News: May 1990 and workmen digging foundations for an extension at King’s School’s St Alban’s uncovered three skeletons – thought to be part of a Roman cemeteryMay 1990 and workmen digging foundations for an extension at King’s School’s St Alban’s uncovered three skeletons – thought to be part of a Roman cemetery

Worcester News: October 1991 and the remains of a centuries-old medieval jetty were uncovered during excavation work in Hylton Road in preparation for construction of the Sabrina BridgeOctober 1991 and the remains of a centuries-old medieval jetty were uncovered during excavation work in Hylton Road in preparation for construction of the Sabrina Bridge

Worcester News: Archaeologists working on the Deansway site held a novel “Dig Day” for charity just before Christmas 1988. It raised £200 and appeal co-ordinator Maxine Shields got carried away by Dave Cox as she picked up the chequeArchaeologists working on the Deansway site held a novel “Dig Day” for charity just before Christmas 1988. It raised £200 and appeal co-ordinator Maxine Shields got carried away by Dave Cox as she picked up the cheque

Worcester News: April 1989 and archaeologist Christopher Curry is at work on the wall of the largest domestic medieval building ever unearthed in WorcesterApril 1989 and archaeologist Christopher Curry is at work on the wall of the largest domestic medieval building ever unearthed in Worcester

Worcester News: January 1992 and archaeologists Robin Jackson and Jeremy Bretherton are busy recording the details of the 600-year-old cellar of a win merchant’s house uncovered during work on a site between the Countess of Huntingdon Hall and a new store being built next to the former police stationJanuary 1992 and archaeologists Robin Jackson and Jeremy Bretherton are busy recording the details of the 600-year-old cellar of a win merchant’s house uncovered during work on a site between the Countess of Huntingdon Hall and a new store being built next to the former police station

Worcester News: June 1989 and Tracey Fentrum has a huge task on her hands working her way through the thousands of finds from DeanswayJune 1989 and Tracey Fentrum has a huge task on her hands working her way through the thousands of finds from Deansway

Worcester News: April 1989 and Rebecca Goodier, left, and Victoria Anstey, of Alice Ottley Junior School, studying fruit and seed pips at a Commandery workshop marking Worcester’s 800th anniversaryApril 1989 and Rebecca Goodier, left, and Victoria Anstey, of Alice Ottley Junior School, studying fruit and seed pips at a Commandery workshop marking Worcester’s 800th anniversary

Worcester News: March 1989 and Bishop Perowne pupils Ben Schiffmann, Marc Bullock, Amanda Hall and Sharon Meredith sift through some of the samples from the Deansway digMarch 1989 and Bishop Perowne pupils Ben Schiffmann, Marc Bullock, Amanda Hall and Sharon Meredith sift through some of the samples from the Deansway dig

Worcester News: March 1991 and a wall was blown down in Lansdowne Crescent, Rainbow Hill - revealing a 19th-century icehouse. This is the entranceMarch 1991 and a wall was blown down in Lansdowne Crescent, Rainbow Hill - revealing a 19th-century icehouse. This is the entrance

Worcester News: Andrew Smith, the son of the owner of the building Brian Smith, peers into the recently uncovered icehouseAndrew Smith, the son of the owner of the building Brian Smith, peers into the recently uncovered icehouse

Worcester News: The interior of the icehouse, which was a store for a fishmonger who traded from a shop in The Shambles during the 19th centuryThe interior of the icehouse, which was a store for a fishmonger who traded from a shop in The Shambles during the 19th century

Worcester News: June 1991 and project officer Derek Hurst is pictured with some of the pottery found during excavations near Crookbarrow Hill - the remains of the lost medieval village of CrookbarrowJune 1991 and project officer Derek Hurst is pictured with some of the pottery found during excavations near Crookbarrow Hill - the remains of the lost medieval village of Crookbarrow

Worcester News: It’s July 1997 and student Helen Bleakman, left, and Dr Sally Crawford are at the site of a dig in the grounds of Worcester Cathedral, where archaeologists were hopeful they had uncovered parts of a pre-Norman structureIt’s July 1997 and student Helen Bleakman, left, and Dr Sally Crawford are at the site of a dig in the grounds of Worcester Cathedral, where archaeologists were hopeful they had uncovered parts of a pre-Norman structure

Worcester News: September 1991 and workmen uncovered a centuries-old wooden water-pipe, probably from the 18th century, during excavation on the Crowngate site near Angel PlaceSeptember 1991 and workmen uncovered a centuries-old wooden water-pipe, probably from the 18th century, during excavation on the Crowngate site near Angel Place

Worcester News: The skull of one of the nine skeletons found at the Deansway dig in a Roman cemetery dating back some 1,500 yearsThe skull of one of the nine skeletons found at the Deansway dig in a Roman cemetery dating back some 1,500 years

Worcester News: Ever wonder what a group of 1970s archaeologists looked like in their day clothes? Wonder no more as delegates of the British Archaeological Association held their annual conference at Worcester CathedralEver wonder what a group of 1970s archaeologists looked like in their day clothes? Wonder no more as delegates of the British Archaeological Association held their annual conference at Worcester Cathedral

Worcester News: That’s a lot of earth that’s been shifted. Work goes on in, or rather under Deansway in October 1988That’s a lot of earth that’s been shifted. Work goes on in, or rather under Deansway in October 1988

Worcester News: Bishop Perowne pupils Ben Schiffmann, left, Anony Gale and Marc Bullock try their hand at surveying at the Deansway dig in March 1989Bishop Perowne pupils Ben Schiffmann, left, Anony Gale and Marc Bullock try their hand at surveying at the Deansway dig in March 1989

Worcester News: It’s July 1990 and a mammoth’s leg bone and rib are prepared for cataloguing after being found at StrenshamIt’s July 1990 and a mammoth’s leg bone and rib are prepared for cataloguing after being found at Strensham

Worcester News: It's February 1996 and the county's archaeologists had just completed their move from Cranham Drive Primary School to Tolladine Road. Finds officer Annette Hancocks is pictured with a Roman cooking pot found at BeckfordIt's February 1996 and the county's archaeologists had just completed their move from Cranham Drive Primary School to Tolladine Road. Finds officer Annette Hancocks is pictured with a Roman cooking pot found at Beckford

Worcester News: October 1994 and Emma Allies, aged seven, unearthed some 300-year-old clay pipes in her back garden in Bromwich Road, St John’sOctober 1994 and Emma Allies, aged seven, unearthed some 300-year-old clay pipes in her back garden in Bromwich Road, St John’s

Worcester News: Any excuse for a bit of dressing up - Roman soldiers marhc through Worcester High Street to publicise the Deansway digAny excuse for a bit of dressing up - Roman soldiers marhc through Worcester High Street to publicise the Deansway dig

Worcester News: This horse skeletonwas uncovered in 1989. It was dated to about 100BC - the Iron AgeThis horse skeletonwas uncovered in 1989. It was dated to about 100BC - the Iron Age

Worcester News: Right, lads, when we’ve done here, the car park’s next to come down... February 1985Right, lads, when we’ve done here, the car park’s next to come down... February 1985