14. Wednesday 14th July 2010

Despite heavy overnight rain the day started off dry. The test pit, DJ, at the bottom of the steep slope below the tents was drawn in section and then back filled. The Newcastle students were set on opening up another test pit (DK) to the north of the DJ test pit.

Don took his surveyors to the other side of the wall where they surveyed two long building platforms and associated walls.

Roger caused a bit of a stir amongst CHW veterans as he started to dismantle the wall below the “bone trench” but this proved to be only a minor incursion.

Heartstopping moment for dig veterans as part of the curved wall is dismantled

© Jane Lunnon

Michelle continued her work in the “bone trench” uncovering some rather impressive “flooring”.

Michelle and Jennifer working hard in the old bone trench,

while Roger instructs Aidan in planning techniques

© Jane Lunnon

The number of finds seems to be decreasing, even to the extent that the now partially redundant Finds Team were redeployed to actually do some digging.

Debbie learns about triangulation © Jane Lunnon

Roger had just started giving a talk on site photography when the promised rain arrived with a vengeance, which resulted in a very rapid packing up and an early finish.

Alan Williams, UWHG webmaster

13. Tuesday 13th July 2010

The Finds Team were supplemented by Pauline today which was all to the good as the finds kept coming thick and fast. These were predominantly animal bones, including some rather large examples, and more teeth.

Ruth came to dig for the day and Helen also visited us and did some sketches until the cold forced her to retreat.

Don and his team of students continued with their surveying further down the hillside and the alidade made its first appearance.

Michelle's metal detecting revealed some more pieces of corroded iron and another piece of lead. The lead looked just like a piece of limestone and not until it was handled was it obvious that it was not stone. It does rather beg the question as to how many other pieces may have been mistaken in the past. It just goes to show that metal detecting in the right hands is a very useful tool.

Alan Williams, UWHG Webmaster

12. Week 2 - Monday 12th July 2010

A rejuvenated Roger was back on site but so was the rain; not hard enough to stop play, just enough to make digging unpleasant and the Find Teams note book become very soggy!.

Don and two of the Newcastle students started surveying the area about 20 metres from the east end of the trench edge near the hollow way.

We were joined by young Jennifer, a member of the Skipton branch of the Young Archaeologists Club, who put in a splendid effort and said that she enjoyed her day despite the rain.

Aidan continued his mammoth planning task and Michelle not only excavated copious amounts of bone but also a collection of snails! Not content with this, she also spent time before the day's activities began, and after it finished, by using her metal detector to find several objects.

A prolonged lunch break gave us some time to dry out from the rain, whilst Roger and Don reflected on the site, accompanied by rather loud giggles from the equipment tent housing
the students.

Some people actually enjoy digging in the rain!

A productive day and a busy time for the Finds Team.

Alan Williams, UWHG

11. Week 2 - Sunday 11th July 2010

Roger took the day off and left Don to crack the whip. Work continued on rather slowly with a reduced work force, and the absence of Michelle, in particular, meant that the Finds Team had a leisurely day.

A rather fragile rim sherd of probable Romano-British pottery was found near the trench edge which should supply some more valuable dating evidence.

Bob's battery died in the afternoon which should not have been a problem until it was realised that Roger had the spare battery back in Kettlewell! Finds tags were left in the trench until tomorrow and fingers were crossed that the electric fence would keep out the sheep.

meticulous digging by Debbie © Jane Lunnon

Alan Williams, UWHG

10. Week 2 - Sat 10th July 2010

A glorious sunny day and time for a change of Finds Teams. Ruth, Helen and Chris handed over the baton to Jane and Alan. Chris spent some time introducing the intricacies of Bob to the new team before departing for a well earned rest.

The diggers were supplemented by some of Don's colleagues from the CBA and continued to excavate the area to the west of the semi-circular “bone trench”. Planning frames were in evidence as Rebecca and Aidan planned the area to the east of the bone trench

New finds team in action © Jane Lunnon

Alan Williams, UWHG Membership Sec/Webmaster

9. Week 1 - Friday 9th July

Day 6 -

When the site had been opened up and Bob ready for action, Roger talked to the group about resistivity and demonstrated how to use the resistivity meter. Three of the students were then delegated to set up 3 x 10m squares and to use the resistivity meter on these.
Meanwhile Danny and Alex returned to the planning of the area of the lower wall which they had started yesterday and the rest of the team continued to dig. There were fewer finds today, and nothing exciting, just the usual pieces of bone. However, the site is now looking beautifully clean and tidy!

In the afternoon Elizabeth, Luke and Jo set up 12 x 1 metre squares in the area below the site (DJ) and began to dig 3 of these, collecting finds and soil for sampling. The other students continued with their allotted tasks, but obviously the end of the week feeling had set in – they are ready for their well earned day off tomorrow.

Don had taken a day off today and rumour has it that he was off on a 20 mile hike! The finds team is to change tomorrow, with Ruth and Chris. finishing tonight, and Jane and Alan taking over the reins. Jane will also take over the daily blog.

Ruth Spencer

8. Week 1 - Thursday 8th July

Day 5 -

A fine day today, with only a few spots of rain, but with a gentle breeze. Digging continued much as yesterday, but a student was co-opted on to the Finds Team to hold the reflector for ‘Bob’. This enabled Chris and Ruth to concentrate on coping with finds and recording them at the same time. This worked very well as it meant that we actually had proper coffee and lunch breaks at the same time as everyone else and we finished almost at the same time at the end of the day!

Emily, Roger, Don & mortarium - smiles all round ! © Ruth Spencer

Two great excitements of the day were two finds of small pieces of lead – this was thanks to Michelle and her metal detector; and in the afternoon Emily found a piece of a mortarium. The smiles on Don’s and Roger’s faces when they saw this had to be seen to be believed! Altogether a good day!

Ruth Spencer