‘Monumental’ structure — riddled with 200 bullet marks — uncovered in UK, photos show

A bullet-riddled structure has left archaeologists in the U.K. with questions. What happened here? Was this spot used for routine target practice? Or could this be the site of a forgotten battle?

Ahead of railway construction, archaeologists excavated a site in Coleshill where they knew a medieval manor was located, according to a news release from Wessex Archaeology on Saturday, Jan. 21.

“We had no idea that we would uncover such rich and revealing archaeological evidence,” lead archaeologist Stuart Pierson said in the release.

Records of the Coleshill Manor are limited and marked with violence. The estate was built around the 14th century. The “magnificent” manor changed ownership in the late 15th century after the previous owner was “hung, drawn and quartered for treason,” archaeologists said.

Excavations at the manor unearthed an “unexpected” and “monumental” structure: a large gatehouse.

Ruins of the fortified building showed two octagonal rooms, likely the foundations of larger towers, historian Alice Roberts said in the release. Photos show the rock-built structure.

Looking closer at the ruins, archaeologists found about 200 bullet marks left by pistols and muskets. Buried in the now-gone moat, they found 40 used bullets — evidence the gatehouse came under fire. Photos show the bullet-riddled walls.

The pockmarks may have been left during routine target practice, Roberts said. “But there’s also an intriguing possibility that we’re looking at evidence of the earliest skirmish of the Civil War.”

The English Civil Wars, a period from 1642 to 1651, stemmed from conflict between supporters of the monarchy and parliamentary opposition groups in England, Scotland and Ireland, according to Britannica. The war replaced the monarchy with the Commonwealth of England.

The first known battle of the English Civil War took place “only a short distance from Coleshill manor,” researchers said in the release. Advancing groups may have passed the manor and its strategic position next to a bridge over the River Cole.

“Did they stop at Coleshill manor on their way to the battle? If so, was this one of the first skirmishes of the Civil War?” researchers asked. Unfortunately, historical sources only record major battles of the English Civil War so historians may never know for sure.

By the 1650s, the gatehouse fell out of use and was demolished to make way for newer construction, archaeologists said. The ruins remained buried for centuries.

Coleshill is in the county of Warwickshire and about 105 miles northwest of London.

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