Archaeology @ The Highwayman
Over two weekends in April and May Cherwell Community Archaeology dug two small trenches in the walled garden of The Highwayman.
Nick Duval (landlord) allowed us, and local volunteers (members of the public) to dig two small trenches in the walled garden to the side of The Highwayman. We displayed maps of the area showing the progress of the the surrounding land ownership and the introduction of the railway around 1850. On Saturday (the hottest day) we were surrounded by willing volunteers wanting to have a go. At one point we had over seventeen people, young and not so young, peering down the hole – the younger volunteers did actually get into the trench and 'clean up our loose' (an archaeological expression, for time to take a break) . These events were publicised with posters, notices and The Highwayman were giving live updates on social media.
The walled garden was very productive in finds on our first weekend – we found a piece of medieval pottery (validated by Portable Antiquities Scheme based at the Ashmolean on the first Wednesday of the month) 10th - 13th century – it is very worn or abraded and may be part of the base of a bowl. This piece of pottery does not mean that there was a medieval house there, but it was a long way down so we did have hopes of more when we dug then next one. It was due to this 'find' that we dug another trench quite close to the first in the hope that there may be more medieval finds, but alas that was not to be. No medieval round house, but we have lots of washing to do over the next weeks, and at Festival of Archaeology @ Oxfordshire Museum Woodstock. We will be displaying our finds and looking for volunteers to help wash, using a tooth brush and wooden stick. We will be at Woodstock Museum over the weekend of July 20th & 21st normal museum opening times. There will be other things to do over that weekend so come and have a look.
What happened next?
Most of the finds from The Highwayman have been washed weighed and sorted. The report is almost ready for publication (November 2019).
We will be back in July 2020 to take part in the Council for British Archaeology Festival
We will be digging a further two trenches in the garden of The Highwayman - The digs will be open to the public so keep an eye on the Whats On page.
Over two weekends in April and May Cherwell Community Archaeology dug two small trenches in the walled garden of The Highwayman.
Nick Duval (landlord) allowed us, and local volunteers (members of the public) to dig two small trenches in the walled garden to the side of The Highwayman. We displayed maps of the area showing the progress of the the surrounding land ownership and the introduction of the railway around 1850. On Saturday (the hottest day) we were surrounded by willing volunteers wanting to have a go. At one point we had over seventeen people, young and not so young, peering down the hole – the younger volunteers did actually get into the trench and 'clean up our loose' (an archaeological expression, for time to take a break) . These events were publicised with posters, notices and The Highwayman were giving live updates on social media.
The walled garden was very productive in finds on our first weekend – we found a piece of medieval pottery (validated by Portable Antiquities Scheme based at the Ashmolean on the first Wednesday of the month) 10th - 13th century – it is very worn or abraded and may be part of the base of a bowl. This piece of pottery does not mean that there was a medieval house there, but it was a long way down so we did have hopes of more when we dug then next one. It was due to this 'find' that we dug another trench quite close to the first in the hope that there may be more medieval finds, but alas that was not to be. No medieval round house, but we have lots of washing to do over the next weeks, and at Festival of Archaeology @ Oxfordshire Museum Woodstock. We will be displaying our finds and looking for volunteers to help wash, using a tooth brush and wooden stick. We will be at Woodstock Museum over the weekend of July 20th & 21st normal museum opening times. There will be other things to do over that weekend so come and have a look.
What happened next?
Most of the finds from The Highwayman have been washed weighed and sorted. The report is almost ready for publication (November 2019).
We will be back in July 2020 to take part in the Council for British Archaeology Festival
We will be digging a further two trenches in the garden of The Highwayman - The digs will be open to the public so keep an eye on the Whats On page.