Evidence of a lost building in the grounds of a stately home has been found by archaeologists after the discovery of a decades-old photograph revealed clues to its location.
The image, taken during the hot summer of 1995, showed a series of parch marks in the grass at Temple Newsam in Leeds, revealing that something once stood there.
When members of the South Leeds Archaeology (SLA) team saw the photo, it led to months of digging and the discovery of the foundations of an outbuilding, along with an array of objects spanning thousands of years.
Phil Jones, who helped lead the dig, said everywhere the group had excavated at the Temple Newsam site had revealed “a few surprises”.
The group’s investigations began by comparing the photograph with historical records and paintings of the estate.
