Unfortunately, the rain made today rather difficult and delayed our excavation. Although the wet conditions slowed down the digging, spirits remained high and excitement of the late Neolithic to early Bronze Age burial is still present from yesterday as the burial was lifted today.
Late Neolithic-Early Bronze Age burial in Area F where beaker pottery was found
Up in Area H, another perinatal burial was found with a worked piece of flint which was found by site supervisor Dave Stewart. Philip Jackson, a second year student studying BSc Archaeology excavated the burial but due to the heavy rain that threatened the site it had to be lifted in block form to prevent it being washed away. Although this is not the ideal way to excavate a perinatal burial, it was necessary today as more damage would have been done by the rain. The block will be sieved through to find the remaining bones that have not already been exposed. The piece of worked flint found with the perinatal burial turned out to be a Neolithic arrow head; the second piece of evidence found in two days that suggests the site has a phase much older than originally thought and is in fact some 2000 years older.
Neolithic Arrow head found in Area H
In Area F, a Roman building platform which overlies the East side of the ‘banjo’ ditch enclosure has been prolific with finds including Samian ware pottery and oyster shells. This is currently being excavated by first year students Shanice Chapman, Hannah Foulger, Amy LoGalbo and Neil Summerson who are all studying Prehistoric and Roman archaeology. They are all enjoying the dig so far and are gaining fantastic experience by digging on the Roman platform; especially as it relates so closely to their course!
Shanice and Hannah excavating the Roman building platform in Area F
Amy and Neil excavating the Roman building platform in Area F
Hopefully the rain will hold off tomorrow, as we are approaching our final week yet with lots yet still to do!