Day 8

Another busy day today. There appeared to be much less digging than on previous days, but trenches were still being dug down to the natural. However, trench 2 was recorded, photographed and drawn and then it was filled in again.

The soil and subsoil from each trench is separated into different piles when the trenches are dug. The topsoil is placed on one side of the trench and the subsoil on the other. When the trenches are filled in again, they put the subsoil back in first and then place the topsoil on last . The topsoil will be replaced tomorrow but even without the topsoil on, it looked like we had never been there!

New WA personnel were on site today and the banter continued and everyone fitted in just like last week.

The stones that our volunteer Si, uncovered in trench 7 on Friday was examined more closely and more stones appeared in situ today. However, the archaeologists who were working in that trench today were very cautious about what it was. I on the other hand was doing cartwheels in my mind because it “could” be the feature that we have been looking for. It is on the correct alignment, however, we will have to wait and see until more of it is revealed tomorrow.

We had three new volunteers on site today, Kerry, John and Pete. John and Pete grew up in Harthill so they were able to tell me a lot about how the landscape has changed over the years. Pete is a metal detectorist but hasn’t found much in our area yet! They have said that they will come back and help out later in the week.

Kerry from Thorpe Salvin came along for the first time today and Hans, one of the WA archaeologists showed Kerry, Sarah and myself how to check the levels on the site to work out how high above sea level the site is, using a theodolite. It was fascinating to use the equipment and see how it works. Again, it was explained in easy to understand english. Kerry has said she will also come back and help again later this week. Sadly, Tim and Julie were unable to make it today due to work commitments but hope to come back later in the week to help again.

Trench 1 where we found the large rat skull was recorded, photographed and drawn and will most probably be filled in again tomorrow as our feature did not appear in it.

Trench 4, which is our bank and ditch trench is where most of our finds have come from so far. Upon examination this morning it was agreed that the bottom of the trench had still not been reached so Phil and Rob from WA started digging down and looked as though they were heading for Australia. They found more glass and a large piece of lead right in the depths of the middle of the trench.

We still don’t know from which period of history that these things have come from, however, the clay pipe bowl that they discovered higher up in that trench looks as though it comes from the 1840-1880 period. However, we are well below that level now where it was found.

I will keep an eye of the stones in trench 7 and will let you know what they reveal tomorrow.