Ancient cesspit found in castle

A glass-floored corridor will allow public viewing of the cesspit

An ancient cesspit has been discovered during restoration work at Mont Orgueil Castle in Jersey.

The archaeological discovery is believed to have been built sometime between the 13th and 15th Century.

Glass, clay pipes, tableware and bottles found in the pit are being cleaned before being put on display for members of the public at La Hougue Bie.

The castle is currently undergoing a £3m improvement programmed by the Jersey Heritage Trust.

Sweet wrappers

The cesspit, which is said to be in very good condition, has two chambers and an exit drain through a curtain wall.

It was discovered at the new location for the main castle's toilets, which will now be redesigned to incorporate a glass-floored corridor. This will allow the remains of the structure to be viewed by the public.

Sweet wrappers were also found in the cesspit, indicating it was filled in some time between the 1960s and 1970s.

Olga Finch, the curator of archaeology, said it was an important find which had not been previously recorded.