Part of a series of bulletins from the BAS excavations at Wickham House

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Attendees: Jill, Andrew H, Tim L, Lindsey, Louise, Tony, Peter, Debbie, Geoff, Nick, Nigel and Keith

A new trench (2B) measuring 2m x 3m was opened over N-S aligned high earth resistance rectilinear features seen on the high-definition earth resistance survey to the south of the site by Nick, Tony and Geoff. The objective of this trench is to locate and identify the morphology and date of these features and their relationship with the Roman road. Turves were removed and excavation of the topsoil was undertaken.

In Trench 2A the topsoil was removed and the two contexts revealed were planned, photographed and recorded. The initial deposits of pebbles/flint proved to be only a few centimetres deep presenting a new content to be recorded tomorrow. A 6cm piece of copper-ally wire was found at the north end of Trench 2A by Lindsey.

Careful cleaning of Trench 1B revealed a complex surface of deposits that need to be carefully assessed and recorded. Having completed the cleaning, Tim and Debbie started work to assign new contexts and plan how to undertake the next stages of excavation in this trench.

In Trench 1A the ditch/gully was excavated further by Jill and Louise who revealed finds of pottery and slag. More work is required to fully excavate this fearture and determin its relationship with nearby contexts.