Hidden Treasures: Crested Floorboards Discovered under Staircase 4

Contractors have been lifting the floorboards on staircase 4 to provide fireproofing between the floors when converting a property to accommodation.

As this is a grade 1 listed building, the floorboards had to be carefully lifted, numbered and replaced to carry out the fireproofing works.

The heritage approval for the special characteristics of this project required the college to have a “watching brief” by Oxford Archaeology to record any findings.

It was during the lifting of the floorboards and numbering process that the site carpenter noticed markings on the floorboards and raised it to the Site Manager’s attention who then notified Oxford Archaeology and the College.