The Bowes Museum believes that it is their most well known artifact, and it the basis of the museum's logo.
Staff at the Bowes Museum had applied to make a survey to establish whether a full dig was necessary.
A major redevelopment of the Bowes Museum began in 2005.
The Bowes Museum (01833 690606; www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk) is open daily, 10am-5pm, admission £9 adults, under-16s and carers free.
He is best known today as the founder of the Bowes Museum.
The school also has access to the tennis courts at the neighbouring Bowes Museum.
The Bowes Museum of Japanese Art closed following his death.
They shared a passion for art and acquired a large collection that would ultimately be housed in the Bowes Museum.
It had been intended that they would be reinterred in a Catholic chapel at the Bowes Museum, but this was never completed.
Until the early 21st century the building contained 17th century glass, which has been removed to the Bowes Museum.