July and August 2006
July and August saw a variety of activities at the site including aerial photography, open days (part of National Archaeology Week) and plenty of digging.
We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to use a cherry picker to take some aerial photographs of the site during July. The photographs are impressive and give a much clearer indication of the layout of the villa than is possible from the ground. They also show the results of the hard work diggers have put in over previous seasons. We intend to publish more photographs of the site later in the season.
Aerial view from south side of villa
As part of the CBA National Archaeology Week we held several successful open days, which attracted over 50 visitors, including groups from local schools and a summer school with students from the USA.
Students at the open day
Most of the digging has focussed on the extension to trench 7, the north side of the stokeroom and around the ditch (trench 9). More of the corridor has now been revealed in the trench 7 extension and we should shortly be able to uncover the back wall of the villa.
An interesting range of finds continue to be uncovered in the fill of the stokeroom area, including some decorated pottery sherds and a variety of animal bones. These include small bones approx 5-7cm long, thought to be from a bird, possibly a goose. These were found close to a long bone from a cow.
Bones - possibly from a goose (with long bone from a cow).
In trench 9, in the area north of the ditch, work has revealed an interesting layer of chalk and possibly a post hole. These features may be part of a later phase when the ditch was out of use.
The excavation is run by experienced archaeologists, and diggers of all levels of experience and ages are welcome, so if you would like to get involved please contact us.