Medieval leprosy hospital uncovered in Lincoln

"We know from historical documents that there were up to 20 lepers housed here, and we know that they had little sorts of curtilages… which implies they're separate little buildings, little houses with a little yard, perhaps," she explained.

"What we've got all along this wall here are traces of little square features, about 5m (16ft) across, that are big enough to be a little building or a yard area, and we've got lots of them."

City of Lincoln Council said it believed the hospital remained in use for about five centuries.

The Hidden Histories Unearthed project, supported by £248,139 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by Anglia Ruskin University, aims to uncover more about the people who lived and died at the hospital.

"You'd need to have resources to get in here," Lewis said.

"If you had enough money and could buy your way into a leper hospital, it's a bit like getting a place in a private care home or something like that."

The council said local residents would have opportunities to get involved in further archaeological excavations and activities as the project continues.

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