Today excavation continued apace, with first years defining and excavating half or quadrant sections of their allocated features.  Some first years had shallow pits or ditches that allowed them the opportunity to get first hand experience in completing section drawings of their features, interpreting and recording the stratigraphy.

The second years further assisted first years with excavation, planning and aiding in identifying artefacts. Third years successfully rediscovered the bottom of the ditch belonging to the ‘banjo’ enclosure entrance.

The finds for the day were fascinating considering the dig has only been underway for such a short period of time. It is encouraging to think of what ‘treasures’ lie just beneath our feet, waiting to be uncovered by eagle eyes. Artefacts recovered included a copper alloy coin, a brooch, and a sky-blue Roman glass base or stopper. Moreover, there have been numerous animal bones and teeth unearthed, including a pig mandible with an intact tusk and the preserved base of an antler.

The site has also exposed three separate deposits of human remains. The first discovery was a crouched burial with a pot together with a sheep rib and tooth. Alongside the individual, it is believed there are sheep vertebrae. Obviously, time and care is taken when exhuming skeletal remains, so watch this space for updates. Near the Roman building platform there has been a human skull discovered and nearby, a human pelvis was revealed within a pit. Hopefully, once these features are fully excavated we will be able to observe whether they are complete skeletal remains.

Zoe and Lauren

Day 5: Re-excavating the banjo enclosure ditch and a south Dorset crouched inhumation, together with various of today's finds