REMNANTS of 17th century life found under the floorboards at Nunnington Hall have gone on show to the public.

Mark Newman, an archaeologist from the National Trust, and the property team at Nunnington Hall have in recent years discovered more than 4,000 objects from under the floorboards of just five rooms of the 17th century mansion near Helmsley.

The finds have enabled them to paint a picture of life in the house, after finding playing cards and small toys that children had “posted” through the gaps in the floorboards on rainy days, as well as rubbish that had been stashed out of sight under the floorboards by builders. They found crab claws, hazelnuts and the remains of human meals dragged there by mice, as well as fragments of silk, jewellery and coins.

Mr Newman said: “It’s been really amazing how many objects have found their way under the floorboards, and how complex the stories that can be told, once they’ve been fully studied.

“In January this year, we found almost 500 objects from just two and a half square feet of the oak bedroom floor.

“The wax seals, torn fragments of fine silk dresses, pen nibs and jewellery fragments seemed to be revealing a scene straight from Mills and Boon.”

Visitors were able to see the finds at its Dusting off the Treasures exhibition, which started Thursday and finished yesterday, and was part of the National Festival of British Archaeology, and the National Trusts Conservation in Action programme.