Day 7, Dec 5th

Day 7 began with a quick clean up in and around the trench, making sure the growing spoil heap was a good 2m from the edge of our trench.

The team was split into 2 groups. One group Neil, John and myself worked on the top of the rampart removing the layers in spits, carefully looking for archaeological features, for example, post holes or pits. The other group, Dave D and Sara worked on the west end of the trench, on the inner area of the fort rampart. An area where yesterday they found a row of large and medium stones that appeared to denote the base of the rampart.

Both teams worked extremely hard, through numerous rain showers (if this was cricket we would have had an extended lunch and tea), and eventually all the hard work bore fruit. Dave and Sara began to slowly reveal what appeared to be a rough cobbled surface, eminating from the west section of the trench towards the base of the rampart, covering an area approximately 3m x 2m. No dating evidence was found within this deposit, however, the layer overlying the possible cobbled surface yeilded a few sherds of 19th C pot. Could this be part of a post medieval yard of sorts? However, there is no evidence as yet for this.

Not to be out done, Neil and John, while cleaning assiduously found a cut for a possible pit on top of the rampart, having reached a depth of only c.0.35m. Could this be a cut for a pit? The shape of this feature appears too regular and at first glance seems to be a later intervention into the top of the rampart suggesting post med activity. Further investigation will hopefully reveal more evidence. As with many archaeological digs, our trench is at present, asking more questions than giving answers.

Tomorrow and Saturday will, I believe, reveal a lot more archaeological features within the trench as we dig further down.