A treasure trove of Lincoln Cathedral graffiti has been uncovered, revealing thousands of etched markings across its ancient walls.
Researchers have identified drawings of ships, people, a shoe, board games, and musical notes that date back to the 14th century. In 2018, volunteers catalogued more than 3,000 markings, and a new survey has since confirmed over 8,000 additional inscriptions within the Grade I listed cathedral.
Brian Porter, who leads the Lincoln Cathedral graffiti project, describes the find as opening “a whole new area of history” that had previously gone unseen. He and about a dozen volunteers began their search in 2018, gradually exposing a vast array of markings in the cathedral’s Gothic interior.
From ancient tombs to stone pillars, very few parts of the sacred space are free of graffiti, Porter notes. He emphasizes that these markings were not commissioned works of art; they are informal expressions by ordinary people from the past.
The inscriptions include Christian and folkloric symbols, as well as names, initials, and dates. The volunteers have even managed to identify some of the graffiti artists, bringing individuals from history to life by linking names to their inscriptions.
Porter explains that the project extends beyond cathedrals to other historic sites like castles and houses, reflecting a growing nationwide interest in this kind of documentation. He points out that in the 1960s such investigations were rare, but today, linking personal histories to the past has become a popular and exciting pursuit.
According to Porter, more than 8,600 markings have been recorded on the cathedral’s ground floor alone, with many more expected as the work continues. He also notes that some people still view graffiti as anti-establishment, but argues that it offers valuable insights into human nature and personal expression.
Guided tours focusing on the cathedral’s graffiti are available on Mondays at 10:30 GMT.
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