Salisbury U3A's Archaeology Group
Stratford Shovel Pit Testing
14/03/2005
Photos Copyright of Margaret Mackenzie
| The U3A Archaeology Group had its initial experience of a 'dig' on the 3rd March 2005. This was led by archaeologist Bill Moffat at the site of Roman SORVIODUNUM and with the aid of a £3000 lottery grant. In spite of a bitterly cold day about 20 people turned up to dig test pits and with a fair amount of success found numerous small pieces of Roman tile, some black pottery, a quern stone part and part of a Roman wall. The weather caused us to cease work early, but will be continued for 2 more days in the spring. Ann Boutell. |
As a result of a very stimulating talk given by David James, an amateur archaeologist living in a suburb of Salisbury, Wilts. an archaeology group was started by Spire U3A in that city. David, through field walking and document study, has come to a firm suspicion that Sorviodunum, at the foot of Old Sarum Castle, was a small town and not just the posting stop as previously thought. A friend of David's, Bill Moffatt, has kindly offered to provide the U3A group with professional guidance as they undertake a shovel-pit testing over a large area in an endeavour to find the extent of Sorviodunum.
The first day of this exercise took place on March 3rd and proved moderately successful in that Roman artifacts were found. But, though the minds were extremely keen, the bodies let us down. It was so cold we, with a mixture of relief and disappointment, decided the rest would have to be done in warmer weather.
We will update you when this happens. We have every confidence our endeavours will provide interesting and important additions to the knowledge of early Sarum (Salisbury). Margaret Mackenzie
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