Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has received a grant of £248,139 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to lead a three-year archaeological investigation of a medieval leprosy hospital site in Lincoln. The project, titled Hidden Histories Unearthed, will focus on the Hospital of the Holy Innocents on Lincoln’s South Common, aiming to uncover the stories of those who lived and worked at the hospital and to preserve the site’s historical significance.

This initiative is a partnership between ARU and the City of Lincoln Council, with additional collaboration from the University of Lincoln. Led by Dr. Samantha Tipper, a senior lecturer in forensic science and bioarchaeology at ARU, the project builds on a successful pilot excavation conducted last year. That preliminary phase engaged more than 100 volunteers ranging in age from four to 85, who helped dig 41 test pits across South Common. These efforts revealed boundary walls, building surfaces, and medieval artifacts linked to the leprosarium complex.

Founded between the late 11th and early 12th centuries, the Hospital of the Holy Innocents was among England’s earliest and largest institutions dedicated to treating leprosy, a chronic infectious disease affecting the skin, nerves, and skeleton. The hospital is believed to have operated for approximately 500 years, but public awareness of its existence and significance has waned over time.

The new phase of Hidden Histories Unearthed involves detailed excavations conducted by Dr. Tipper, ARU PhD students, local volunteers, community groups, and schools. The project also includes outreach activities such as local history café talks and heritage events aimed at engaging residents and fostering a deeper connection to Lincoln’s past.

Councillor Rebecca Longbottom, portfolio holder for remarkable place at City of Lincoln Council, emphasized the importance of the endeavor, stating that the funding will help illuminate a largely overlooked chapter of the city’s history. She highlighted that the project promotes community pride by making shared heritage accessible and encouraging public involvement in uncovering local history.

Dr. Tipper noted that the pilot project revealed many community members were previously unaware that South Common was once the site of a medieval leper hospital. She expressed gratitude to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and its players for enabling the expanded investigation, which she said offers a significant opportunity to recover and share a lost aspect of Lincoln’s heritage.