Archeologists dig inside cathedral (From Wiltshire Times)

Archeologists dig inside cathedral

11:20am Sunday 6th January 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

AN archaeological dig has begun inside Salisbury Cathedral to prepare for a new font to be installed as part of the 750th anniversary celebrations later this year.

The cathedral is planning to install a new font designed by William Pye during 2008.

The purpose of the current dig is to ascertain whether the reservoir, pump housing, water supply and drainage can be installed under the floor.

The new font will feature in the major liturgical celebration of Salisbury 750 in September, in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

This font replaces Sibirica Minor, which was removed in November 2007, the last in a series of water sculptures by William Pye at the north porch crossing.

Sibirica Minor was used as a font most successfully, at Diocesan Confirmations, the Easter Dawn Eucharist and Baptisms during the Sunday Eucharists.

The main body of the cathedral was completed in 1258, when the nave may have been paved in Purbeck Marble.

This was replaced in 1878 at a cost of £1,250, during the restoration work undertaken by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

The archaeological explorations will investigate any surviving evidence of an earlier floor and record any burial features found below the floor.

• Print
• Email
• Share