All it’s worthwhile to know in regards to the rediscovered Cold War bunker discovered beneath a fort
Need to know
Archaeologists used radar to find a secret Cold War bunker under Scarborough Castle, where 1960s volunteers once prepared to monitor a Soviet nuclear strike
- A forgotten Cold War relic has been rediscovered beneath the historic Scarborough Castle in North Yorkshire. The secret underground bunker had remained sealed and completely lost to time since its closure in 1968.
- The bunker was part of a terrifying nationwide network designed to survive a nuclear Armageddon. It was built to house volunteers from the Royal Observer Corps who would have monitored the UK during a Soviet strike.
- Measuring only 15ft by 7ft, the cramped concrete tomb was built for just three occupants. The individuals were expected to live on two weeks of rations while mapping nuclear blasts from the world above.
- The site was located using advanced technology after its exact coordinates remained a mystery for decades. Archaeologists employed ground-penetrating radar and historic photographs to finally “re-geolocate” the buried entrance.
- Despite being submerged in six feet of water, the bunker still contains fascinating historical equipment. Recovered items include a specialised pinhole camera for recording nuclear flashes and a pressure-wave indicator.
- The discovery highlights a long history of the Scarborough headland serving as a vital observation point. The site has evolved through the ages, spanning from a Roman signal station and medieval castle to this modern nuclear outpost.
- The project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to honour 100 years of the Royal Observer Corps. The initiative aims to shine a spotlight on the volunteers who stood ready to protect the nation during its darkest hours.
- Experts now hope to drain the floodwater so the public can eventually explore the site. This will allow visitors to experience the claustrophobic space where ordinary people prepared for the end of the world.
- Read the full story here: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/uk-news/forgotten-cold-war-apocalypse-bunker-36881059
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