Sherburn-in-Elmet has a great deal of history to it. That history certainly goes back to the Romano-British period and very likely to a pre-Roman settlement too.

The Elmet Heritage Foundation has decided to advance general knowledge of the place with investigations based upon the area around the present-day church. This is positioned upon a natural rise and looks a very likely setting for a pre-Roman settlement. Roman burials have been found near the site. The north-south Roman road passes closely to the east through the present village centre. A 1st century road was discovered in the last three years which aims at the hill upon which the church stands. The earthworks surrounding the church hint at a Celtic stronghold. The 'Palace of Athelstan' sits alongside it (there seem to be two sites that boast this priviledge but both are alongside the church). And....there is much more that must rate this site as one of national importance. As usual nothing has been done about it.

We have raised money to employ a full photographic aerial survey by helicopter. Local archaeologists and historians are pulling together to collate as much local knowledge as we can as a starter and we will then advance as best we can to unveil as much as possible of this historical place's past.

As is our way we do not want this to be hidden for the sake of some academic's book or some historical group's ego. So we will PUBLISH, PUBLISH, PUBLISH!!!

It will be a slow process. But well worth the effort. All will be posted upon the main site and we welcome any help, interest and involvement from history enthusiasts local or worldwide.