BAS2025_P01
This project aims to inform the residents of Wickham of the archaeology and history of the place where they live through direct participation in archaeological fieldwork and post-excavation analysis, and participation in site tours and lectures. This project also aims to provide BAS volunteers with hands on experience and training to develop the archaeological capacity within BAS Society to engage with communities across the wider Berkshire area.
Past analysis of Wickham’s material culture assemblage and extensive geophysics surveys undertake by BAS suggest it was the location of a Roman period settlement at the intersection of two Roman roads. The focus of this settlement later ‘shifted’ northwards during the Medieval period to the location of the village centre. Evidence suggests continuous occupation at Wickham from prehistory to the present day.
This excavation focuses on the ‘building #2’ geophysics anomaly to the east of Wickham House, interpreted as a sizeable multi-roomed rectilinear building adjacent to (and aligned with) the Roman road Ermin Street. The evaluation excavation of building #2 aims to reveal diagnostic evidence to confirm the building’s morphology, function, chronology and the identities of its past occupants that can be used to further enhance the historic character of Wickham House.
The first phase of excavation will take place during May 2025 to June 2025. We expect to be working 3-4 days on site each week (including some weekend working) – if you want to take part, please send an email to keefandtrace(at)hotmail.com so I can start to build a rota. You don’t need to have any prior experience to take part, but if you have taken part in archaeological excavations before please provide a short summary. In terms of physical fitness – if you can comfortably walk 5km and dig using a spade you should be fine – but if you have any concerns of this nature please let me know and we can discuss. We normally arrange ‘car-pooling’ between ourselves to travel to site so if you have transportation issues please let me know also.
Its not all about fieldwork – as we will be undertaking post-excavation analysis which will include cleaning, sorting and identifying finds and undertaking environmental analysis of soil samples. This work will be take place off-site starting later in the year, so if post-ex is your thing – feel free to drop me a line also. We will also be running community outreach activities as well as fund raising to cover the costs of specialist post-excavation analysis.
I will be arranging a Zoom meeting in March for all those who have expressed an interest in taking part to share more insight into the site, geophys results, the research objectives, post-excavation plans, fund raising for post-excavation analysis, how we will be working, equipment you need to bring and dates.
To get the ball rolling please send me the following via email asap:
- Issues/queries you’d like to discuss
- Name
- Email address
- Mobile number
- Prior archaeological excavation experience
- How much time you are able to commit (i.e. How many days each week, how many weeks etc)
- Area where you live (e.g. Bracknell, Maidenhead, Newbury etc)
Reply to Keith Abbott keefandtrace(at)hotmail.com
