At the end of the first week on site, the wealth of finds and features already unearthed is incredible. From flint tools to high status Roman pottery, the freshers are certainly gaining great excavation experience from this site. With few new special finds today, the highlight was the site overview by Miles Russell, detailing the results of our excavation at the end of week one.

It is hoped that the entrance ditch of the ‘banjo’ will produce some form of dating evidence to allow a better understanding of the site as a whole, but most of the Iron Age domestic waste is expected to be found in the top end of the trench, where the back ditch of the ‘banjo’ has been found. Moving onto the evidence of Roman occupation, further hillside terrace houses are being excavated, and are revealing some high status finds. The Roman building in the trench C/D is producing a significant amount of building debris and some very high status artefacts as mentioned in previous days. Miles has said that he is hoping to find some human remains in this area, which could be used for DNA analysis and to get a step further to discovering whether the people that lived here were Roman, or British people adopting a Roman way of life.

After finally having a sunny (if a little windy) day on site, everyone is much looking forward to a day of rest. Although most are looking forward to getting back into features again on Sunday just as much!

Lauren and Zoe

Day 6: The site, the base of a late Roman New Forest beaker, a copper alloy bangle, Miles Russell giving the site briefing, and an array of pottery, glass and other finds.