Albrighton Community Dig

The hot and dry summer of 2018 revealed evidence of previously unknown archaeology across Britain. One such set of 'parch marks' appeared near the crossroads in the middle of Albrighton, Shropshire. These marks and our geophysics survey of the site, suggested a series of pillars and walls which might have been part of the old market hall, pulled down in the early 1800s.

Parch marks visible in the summer of 2018

Over three days in July, with the help of the Albrighton & District Historical Society, we set about digging a series of test pits. On the first day we played host to children from the local primary school who had great fun sieving and cleaning finds and learning about archaeology and history. Over the following two days we were visited by dozens of villagers who were fascinated to see the Society's display and talk to their knowledgeable chairman John Stretton. Many of the children who visited on the first day were so enthralled that they came again on the following days to see what else had been discovered.

We dug three test pits and made interesting discoveries in each. A compacted clay floor and traces of a probable column support were uncovered but the most significant archaeology was discovered in pit #3. After uncovering the remains of a wall foundation, we were thrilled to find a spectacular cobbled surface. This may have been a yard or path associated with the market hall or even part of the old village street, which was part of the Wolverhampton to Holyhead coach road.

A small sondage in the south-west corner of the pit seemed to show that the cobbles had been laid on smaller stone set in clay.

The fantastic cobbled surface uncovered at Albrighton

Finds included pottery sherds and fragments of roof or floor tile from the Medieval era, a Georgian coin, various pieces of glass, pipe stems, a chalk-board stylus (the building was at some point used as a school) and a few pre-industrial era buttons.

A report with photographs can be found on the website of the Shropshire Star and on Albrighton & District Historical Society's Facebook page.

 

East Park Academy Dig

When we team up with local schools to demonstrate archaeology, we inevitably find that the children are absolutely fascinated to learn about what's beneath their feet. So it was with the youngsters at East Park Academy in Stow Heath, who were absolutely thrilled to take part in our dig for their History Week.

 Explaining the basics of archaeology

Sieving the spoil

Sieving the excavated soil is always the most exciting part for children (and adults!) as you never know what might come to light.

As can be seen from the map below, in the early 1800s, the area in which the school now sits was surrounded by iron-smelting furnaces and coal mines. In fact 'Stow Heath Furnace' was literally a stones throw to the east of the site and Chillington Furnace was a little further away on the other side. No surprise then, that blast furnace slag featured amongst our finds but we also found evidence of post-medieval domestic activity, including pottery.

 

This work is based on data provided through www.VisionofBritain.org.uk and uses historical material which is copyright of the Great Britain Historical GIS Project and the University of Portsmouth.

The test pit uncovered lots of building rubble and iron-making slag

One of the things that struck us about our visit was how very well behaved and happy the children were, truly a credit to the staff at East Park, and we were delighted to receive this letter from the Head Teacher: