South Blockhouse: New photographs reveal foundations of 16th-century fort exposed during dig in Hull

Humber Field Archaeology, who are carrying out excavations on behalf of Hull City Council and National Highways, shared recent images taken at the site, near The Deep.

Volunteers have been assisting in cleaning the monument and both 19th-century and earlier features of the structure are now visible.

The South Blockhouse fortress was built in the 1540s as part of the Hull Castle complex to guard the harbour mouth on the River Hull from hostile shipping. It had a unique 'clover leaf' design and during a period when European powers were at peace it was decommissioned and became a prison instead. It was demolished in the 1860s.

A visitor attraction will be opened on the site once the conservation work is completed.

Back in 2019 a large section of an ancient cast-iron cannon was found under a car park next to The Deep.

Volunteers are able to work with the dig team during a three-month community project this summer.

Hull Castle - a history

Hull Castle was an artillery fort built to defend the eastern side of the River Hull during the reign of King Henry VIII, when tensions with France were high. There were two supporting blockhouses, North and South.

Both blockhouses had their own guns and were linked to the castle keep by a curtain wall and moat. The town was responsible for the defences.

Catholic 'recusants' were imprisoned in the castle during the 16th and 17th centuries, and the fort was used during the Civil War. After the Restoration, the site was neglected until a redevelopment in 1681 saw the fort extended and renamed the Citadel. The castle and South Blockhouse were included in the new design, although the North Blockhouse was omitted and was demolished in 1801, by which time it was a ruin. The Citadel was eventually demolished in 1864 to allow new docks to be built, having become obsolete for military use.