A demonstration of Anchurus II support for finds processing
Review of the draft Anchurus II user manual page: Anchurus II support for working with finds
This should be of interest to anybody who plans to start working with Keith on Wickham finds later in September.
If you would like a copy of this document before the meeting you can download it from my Dropbox by emailing Andrew for a link.
Please note that the meeting fee is £3 per head
Committee Room, Woosehill Community Centre, Emmview Cl, Wokingham RG41 3DA. Starting 19:30 and ending 21:30 (please don’t arrive before 19:15). There is ample parking alongside the Community Centre and in the adjacent Morrisons supermarket car park.
Also on Zoom
Anyone else wishing to join should contact Andrew Hutt onandrew_hutt(at)talktalk.net
For security we are not publishing email addresses as direct links. Please re-type substituting the @ symbol for (at)
2:30 to 4:30pm. Please do not arrive before 2:15pm
The agenda for this meeting is:
A demonstration of Anchurus II
A presentation on stratigraphic analysis
This meeting will also be available on zoom. To register to attend please email Andrew on andrew.hutt(at)berksarch.co.uk*
Committee Room, Woosehill Community Centre, Emmview Cl, Wokingham RG41 3DA. There is ample parking alongside the Community Centre and in the adjacent Morrisons supermarket car park.
*For security we are not publishing email addresses as direct links. Please re-type substituting the @ symbol for (at)
Chocolate has a complex history of profound social, economic, and political impacts on the societies who produce and consume it. Central America is pivotal to this global story, but its place in chocolate’s history has been neglected because we have lacked the material evidence and the interpretive tools to evaluate its real contribution.
My current project will integrate archaeological, documentary and other contextual sources and, in collaboration with the British Museum, use cutting-edge biomolecular techniques to build a multi-scalar interpretation of Mesoamerican cuisine networks through time, from 1000 BCE-1900 CE. This will recentre the story on Indigenous societies’ agency in the global commodification of chocolate. By providing a deep-time perspective on issues of sustainability and structural inequality, the results will speak directly to social and ecological challenges surrounding chocolate today.
2.00 pm for 2.30 pm at the RISC Centre, London Street, Reading RG1 4PS and from 2:15 on Zoom
The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE
All welcome. £15: book online or pay at the door
This day school brings together professional archaeologists, archaeological societies and those interested in archaeology in Berkshire and surrounding counties to hear reports about the latest projects.
Programme
10:00
Welcome Andrew Hutt, Chair, Berkshire Archaeological Society
10.05
Recent archaeological work in West Berkshire Beth Asbury, Assistant Archaeologist, West Berkshire Council
10:35
Recent portable antiquity finds in Berkshire Phil Smither, PAS Officer, Berkshire
11:05
COFFEE – 25 mins
11:30
Dedworth site: Bronze Age, Iron Age & Early Mediaeval Andy Taylor, Thames Valley AS
12:00
Excavations at Wickham Roman roadside settlement Keith Abbott, Berkshire Archaeological Society
12.30
LUNCH – 1 hour
13:30
Water Oakley Quarry site: a Roman rural settlement Alex Guaggenti, John Moore HS
14:00
Kimbers Lane site: Mesolithic flints Steve Ford, Thames Valley AS
14:30
TEA – 30 mins
15:00
Iron Age and Roman Settlement on the Lambourn Downs Bob Brewer, Independent Archaeologist
15:30
Britannia under the Boot, the Roman Army in SE England Edwin Wood, University of London
Attendees: Mike, Martin, John H, Carrollanne, Debbie S, Phil C, Alessa, James P, Eric, Rod, Nigel B, Tony, Gill, Andrew R and Keith
The focus in the four trenches opened this season is now on completing the recording of context sheets, plans and sections etc before the end of the season. This frees up resources to undertake a speculative test pitting survey of anomalies identified during the geophys survey to characterise them using 1m x 1m test pits with “spits” of 0.2m depth. Rod and Nigel B got this phase of the project underway with “test pit #1” in the southeast of the pasture on the north side of the Roman road, and soon revealed a horizon of Romano-British pottery and CBM suggesting that further investigation in future seasons may be required.
Figure 1. Rod and Nigel B excavating “Test Pit #1”
In Trench 15 Tony and Martin continue to explore the chronological relationship between the road and lane, with early indications suggesting that they were constructed at the same time. Excavation will continue into the “natural” to confirm this diagnosis… Elsewhere in Trench 15 work continued to complete excavation of the road and lane ditches and plan the surfaces revealed infront of Building #3, although extant features of the south end of this building remain elusive.
Figure 2. Tony and Martin continuing to explore the chronological relationship between the road and the lane
Figure 3. Phil C and Carrollanne excavating and planning in Trench 15
Figure 4. Debbie S and James P recording the latest surfaces revealed at the north end of Trench 15
In Trench 16 Eric and Alessa were focusing on recording features thought to represent at least two other structures to the east of the corn drier. Slots were excavated to reveal sections, and plans/context sheets will be completed tomorrow.
Figure 5. Eric and Alessa recording features in Trench 16
In Trench 18 work continued to extend the trench to the north, which revealed a further deposit of large flints/sarsens that may represent the southern ditch of the Roman road. Once recorded this will be excavated and recorded in section.
Figure 6. Andrew, John H and Mike extending Trench 18 to the north
Attendees: Lindsey, Jill, Mike, Martin, Stuart, Millie, Geoff, John H, Malcolm, Carrollanne, Chloe, Malcolm, Julie, Tim L, Debbie S, Phil C, Alessa and Keith
The first task was to restore the cleaned surfaces of all trenches after overnight rain. With now less that two complete weeks (5½ days of excavation) remaining of this present season, the focus has shifted from discovery of new archaeology to the recording of features already revealed.
In Trench 16 Stuart and Millie reviewed the trench records files to highlight plans, context sheets and sections requiring further work, and passing to colleagues to tie off the loose ends identified. Meanwhile Geoff spent the day exploring the northern end of the flue to see if a vent to the corn-drier superstructure that would have been located above could be identified. Unfortunately this proved inconclusive as a layer of firm mortar was reached that was interpreted as being the collapsed roof of the flue (rather than the expected vent) – so more work is required to reveal how the hot air from the furnace exited the masonry flue…
Detailed 3D photogrammetry images of Trenches 16 and 17 taken by Stuart can be seen below…
Figure 1. Geoff, Lindsey, Stuart and Alessa recording features in Trench 16
In Trench 15 Martin, Julie and Chloe began to excavate the area where the northerly Roman road ditch intersects the ditch of the lane branching to the north to determine the chronological relationship between these two features. It is known that Ermin Street was constructed within a few years of the Roman conquest to supply Legions located to the northwest of Silchester, so if the construction of the road/lane can be found to be contemporary to each other this suggests a similarly early date for occupation of the site being excavated. Whereas if the two features were found to be constructed at different dates, dating evidence may suggests a “terminus post quem” for the lane construction and the associated roadside occupation… Elsewhere in Trench 15 work continued to record sections, plans and complete context sheets for features already in progress.
Figure 2. Recording and excavating underway in Trench 15
In Trench 18 Malcolm, Mike and John completed recording of the surfaces revealed, but it was still not 100% certain that the shallow rubble filled ditch identified by the earth resistance survey was in fact the southerly ditch of the Roman road. The decision was taken to extend Trench 18 to the north to see if any other ditch like features could be identifed up to the point where the north of Trench 18 is less than 8m to the south of Trench 15 along the road’s axis…
Figure 3. Mike, Malcolm and John cleaning a surface in Trench 18
The highlight of the day was the amazing cake baked by Carrollanne which was comprehensively excavated during the tea break. Despite the cake’s elaborate decorative fruit filled stratigraphy, it was 100% sampled by the team before a detailed section drawing could be recorded!
Figure 4. Carrollanne sharing her amazing homemade cake during the tea break!
Figure 5. Chloe with a newly discovered Roman beaker sherd from Trench 15
Attendees: Jules, Chris, Lindsey, Jill, Ruby, Kate, Mike, Martin, Louise, Rod, James P, Tony, Susanne, Julian, Paula and Keith
With today being the Lecture/Site Tour in the afternoon, the focus was to crack on with the archaeology as quickly as possible to allow time to tidying up the trenches and preparing the “finds tent” in the afternoon.
After its soaking over the weekend, Trench 17 had finally dried out and just needed some detailing/cleaning to get things ready for the visit. Julian, Rod and Tony soon had things back in order, and were able to mark out the route of the Roman road/lane to enable visitors to place the trenches within the wider archaeological landscape.
Figure 1. Trench 17 restored to its former glory!
Trench 15 was a hive of activity with Jule and Jill continuing to excavate a further slot across the Roman road ditch. Mike and Louise continued to record the new contexts revealed at the north of the trench, whilst Martin, Chris and James focused on defining features possibly related to Building #3 which have still eluded definitive identification…
Figure 2. Volunteers hard at work in Trench 15
Figure 3. Jules excavating the ditch of the Roman road
Figure 4. James recording features within Trench 15
The focus in Trench 16 was recording, whilst Kate and Ruby carefully cleaned features revealed earlier in the week suggesting possible further extant remains of structures to the east of the trench…
Figure 5. Susanne and Lindsey recording contexts, as Kate cleans surfaces within Trench 16
Figure 6. Possible rectilinear features in Trench to be investigated further…
At 3pm work in the trenches stopped, and the team focused on preparing for the site tour and lecture. By 6:00pm over 90 visitors had arrived, and were enjoying drinks and light refreshments provided by our hosts Mr and Mrs D’Arcy. Phyllida had her artwork depicting the excavation on display within the church, and Keith gave a 30minute lecture to a full-house. This lecture was followed by a tour of the site and an opportunity to view some of the finds discovered. Overall this event raised more than £1000 for St Swithun’s church.
Figure 7. Phyllida’s artwork on display within St. Swithun’s church
Attendees: Chloe, Geoff, Jules, Chris, Lindsey, Jill, Ruby, Kate, Carrollanne, Mike, Martin, Phil C, Louise and Keith
Having got a soaking the previous Wednesday and rained off completely on the Thursday, it was great to be back on site. Unfortunately Trench 17 was 0.5m deep with rain water, so was “bailed out” and left to dry – and Trench 18 was also waterlogged, but this allowed us to focus our efforts on Trenches 15 and 16 whilst dodging a few showers in the morning…
Figure 1. Storm clouds on the horizon…. but blue sky returned 10minutes later!
In trench 16 Kate, Lindsey, Ruby and Geoff continued to define the surfaces revealed beneath the gravel deposits surrounding the corn drier. This was delicate work, but after the wet weekend, conditions were perfect for cleaning surfaces and identifying features. Planning of the newly revealed surfaces got underway in the afternoon, and tomorrow will be focused on recording context sheets and taking levels…
Figure 2. Hard at work in Trench 16
Figure 3. Possible clay floor surface after being cleaned by Ruby in Trench 16
In Trench 15 Jill and Jules continued with the excavation of the ditch along the north side of the Roman road, whilst Chloe cleaned a slot across the lane and its ditch. Both these two areas revealed a number of interesting pieces of CBM and pottery.
Figure 4. The ditch of the Roman Road, and Chloe taking levels…
Further to the north, Phil C, Martin and Chris not only discovered our largest fragment of hypocaust flue tile to date, but also revealed what appears to be east-west/north-south aligned masonry footings on top of Roman archaeology. Further work is needed to define these features, but the initial interpretation is that these could be related to the 12th century manor house discovered on top of the Roman road last season?
Figure 5. Chris having just discovered a fragment of flue tile
Figure 6. Chloe cleaning a slot across the lane and its ditch and an interesting pottery sherd discovered nearby
At the north end of Trench 15 Louise, Carrollanne and Mike continued to define the surfaces either side of the stone berm thought to be the footings of Building #3. Again, further work is needed to clean, plan and record these new contexts, but Mike discovered an interesting piece of Samian pottery and Carrollanne discovered our first piece of amphora which are both dateable imported objects that may shed new light on this area of the site.
Figure 7. Louise and Mike at work and finds discovered at the north end of Trench 15
Attendees: Stuart, Millie, Chloe, Geoff, Julie, Lindsey, Sofia, Emma, Jill, Paul, Malcolm, Louise and Keith
What a change in the weather (!!!) – with rain showers and occasional thunder/lightening in the middle distance, we had to take shelter in our cars on a number of occasions. However, we managed to spend pretty much a full day excavating – often still enjoying bright sunshine! Due to heavy downpours overnight, Trenches 17 and 18 were waterlogged, so no work was done in these areas. However, there was plenty to do in Trenches 15 and 16…
The first project was to investigate a number of possible post holes identified the previous week during dry conditions, which now that the ground was damp, was perfect conditions for identification of possible post holes. However, Millie, Sofia and Emma soon determined that these features were not postholes, but whilst cleaning the surface they realise that the features previously identified were a “corner” of a rectilinear deposit of clay with linear “dark earth” suggesting possible beam slot foundations. Work will continue tomorrow to explore these features further to see if they are related to the nearby flue or are part of a separate feature…
Figure 1. Millie and Emma detailed the rectilinear clay deposit
Figure 2. Sofia and Stuart recording newly cleaned surfaces in the north end of Trench 16
Elsewhere in Trench 16, Lindsey continued with her detailed examination of the flue structure, and on the west side of the flue discovered a possible “cut” that appeared to be lined with vertically positioned mortar as seen in Figure 3. Again this feature will require further work to investigate thoroughly, but the archaeology of the flue is complex – and is taking time to carefully unpick and record in detail…
Figure 3. Lindsey evaluating the newly discovered “cut”/mortar on the west side of the flue
Meanwhile in Trench 15, Jill and Paul continued to remove “fills” from the northerly ditch of Ermin Street as seen in Figure 4. At the north end of Trech 15 Chloe, Geoff, Julie, Malcom and Louise continued to excavate and record the slot that was partially excavated the previous week. A number of new contexts were revealed beneath the layer of large sarsens and cobbles which were planned and recorded. This area of Trench 15 continued to reveal a high concentration of iron objects, pottery and animal bone…
Figure 4. A newly revealed “fill” of the Ermin Street ditch
Figure 5. Chloe and Louise recording contexts newly revealed by Malcolm
Attendees: Joanne, Katharine, Sam, Zoe, Stuart, Millie, Doug, Chloe, James P, Martin, Peter Cl, Kate, Claire, Susanne, Eric, Geoff, Dee, Ben A and Keith
Yet ANOTHER hot day on site – but once again, we hunkered down beneath gazebos/trees so work could continue! Next week is forecast to be decidedly damp by comparison, so we may need to find our waterproofs and wellies…
In Trench 17 Chloe, Dee, Doug, Joanne and Zoe spent the morning learning how to accurately draw scale stratigraphic sections of the deposits revealed during the course of the excavation. This process of recording will continue next week for three faces of this trench, and will be used together with the material culture, pottery and bone discovered to characterise occupation of this site during the Roman period.
Figure 1. Chloe and Joanne learning how to draw sections in Trench 17
In Trench 18 Susanne, Eric and Claire completed the recording of the 50% slot dug along this trench and opening new context records for the new features identified beneath. The wetter weather forecast for next week will help to soften the silty/clay material exposed which was heavy going during this week’s hot and dry conditions.
Figure 2. Susanne and Eric recording the 50% slot along Trench 18
In Trench 15 Sam and Katharine discovered a new context of large sarsen rubble within the slot being excavated at the north end of the trench, which when recorded and removed revealed two distinct contexts beneath. Excavation of this slot will be extended to the east next week to identify the archaeological feature beneath these layers of flint/sarsen where the southerly remains of Building #3 (discovered in 2025) are expected to be found.
Figure 3. Left – a stoney context revealed by Sam/Katharin Right – two new contexts discovered beneath…
Figure 4. Zoe, Joanne, Martin, Sam and Katharine recording new contexts in Trench 15
Elsewhere in Trench 15 Peter, Martin and Ben were excavating flint/cobble surfaces closer to the ditch of the Roman road/lane, where Peter discovered a Roman As coin. It is hoped that this coin can be accurately dated next week when Lindsey is back on site with us, but initial comparisons suggest a possible 2nd Century AD date
Figure 5. Peter with his first Roman coin find!
In Trench 16, work continued to define the features of the masonry flue, and to clean the newly revealed surfaces around it. Despite the dry conditions a number of possible post holes/pits were identified that will be investigated further next week when the damper conditions are likely to allow clearer delineation of these features.
Figure 6. Millie, Zoe and Kate detailing features in Trench 16
Figure 7. A new chalk deposit revealed by Kate in Trench 16
Stuart very kindly produced a 3D photogrammetry model using his Poly Cam app of Trench 16, which you can see in 3D on your phone/computer by following the link below:
