Aerial view of excavations outside South Gate

During the 1970s and 1980s several major excavations were conducted outside the South Gate, giving a clear picture of the development of the defensive ditches outside the walls. The aerial view shows excavations in Magdalen Street in the winter of 1986. The excavation is marked by the red-brown soil at the centre of the image. Southernhay, running towards the top left, lies just outside the city ditch, whilst the parked cars (left) sit over the ditch. Below them is the line of the city wall.

Acknowledgments: Frances Griffith, Devon County Council