THE mysteries of Castle Hill could soon be unveiled by archeologists.
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman is spearheading a project to reveal the hidden secrets of the ancient Almondbury site.
Scientists hope to start an archeological scientific survey of the Iron Age hill fort in the autumn.
Mr Sheerman is now working with local conservation groups to raise the £5,000 needed to kick start the project.
He said: “This is a very exciting project and I’m looking forward to seeing what hidden secrets Castle Hill will reveal.
“It is such an important site for the town and hopefully locals, children and students will be able to learn a lot from what we discover.”
Mr Sheerman says a full archeological survey hasn’t been carried out in living memory, as scientists were hindered by buildings and lack of modern technology.
But since all of the buildings have been pulled down with only Victoria Tower remaining, the MP believes now is the perfect time to discover what is hidden underneath the land.
He said: “There is nothing there now except for the tower, and myself together with a group interested in the legend of the town felt this was a unique opportunity to have a full new evaluation of Castle Hill.
“There’s so much we don’t know about the site but a modern archeological evaluation has never been done.
“So many advances have been made in modern technology and scientific equipment which experts will be able to look at the site more closely than ever before.
“It’s very exciting to think what will be discovered.”
Mr Sheerman is working with archeology experts from Bradford University on the project.
He said they have already visited the site and now plan to return for the first step of an in-depth forensic examination when the cash has been raised.
The history of human activity on the hill goes back over 4,000 years.
The site was developed as an Iron Age hill fort, surrounded by defensive ditches and ramparts.
In the Middle Ages there was a castle on the hill, of which the well remains, and the present tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1897.
Mr Sheerman said the new project would help uncover some of the mysteries that have lain hidden for centuries.
He said: “It’s a highly important site with a wonderful history but there’s actually a lot of things we don’t know about it.
“There were some digs in the seventies but they were inhibited by the buildings, but now these have gone there will be nothing stopping us.
“It has been a site of human civilisation for thousands of years and I believe all sorts of things will be revealed by this.”
Scientists are looking to start examining the site more closely in the autumn with an initial archeological scientific survey.
The first step will involve looking at previous digs and archive material and conducting a first reading of the area using high-tech equipment.
