© Provided by The iMarius Illie, a zoologist from Trent and Peak Archaeology, with one of the money bones (Photo: Nottingham Castle Trust)
Excavations at Nottingham Castle have unearthed the unusual pet-keeping habits of the Georgian period.
Remains of three monkeys have been found during £30m redevelopment work at the East Midlands castle, believed to have belonged to a former castle resident from the Regency era.
Research by former castle volunteer Yvonne Armitage revealed details of flamboyant, wealthy resident Jane Kirkby rumoured to have kept "lap-dogs and a large ape".
Now archaeological evidence has emerged she may have preferred smaller simians, after bones and teeth were uncovered at the site.
Dr Kris Poole, post-excavation manager at Trent and Peak Archaeology who identified the remains, told i: "The monkey bones were mixed in with bones of animals that we would much more commonly expect to find on an archaeological?site such as cows, sheep, and pigs and immediately stood out as being unusual.
"They looked quite human in many ways but clearly weren't human, which led me to suspect that they came from something like a monkey, which came as a big surprise, because although there are plenty of records of exotic animals being brought into the country in this period, you very rarely find their remains."
© Provided by The iA set of monkey bones discovered at Nottingham Castle (Photo: Nottingham Castle Trust)
Experts confirmed they belonged to a group of monkeys called guenons, from central and western Africa. One of the primate's remains showed signs of rickets and dental cavities suggested the animals were fed an inappropriate diet of possibly sweets, sandwiches and cakes.
Dr Poole added: "We believe the animals could have been exotic pets belonging to former resident Jane Kirkby who lived at the Castle between 1791 and 1825."
It is thought there may have been a menagerie in the grounds of the ducal palace when it was turned into apartments. The newly restored castle and visitor centre opens to the public on 21 June.