Pit Stop members digging for treasure
Well, it may be not gold, but a group of guys from the West Norfolk MensCraft Pit Stops came together for the day at the amazing archaeological dig site at Sedgeford to help uncover some of Norfolk’s Anglo-Saxon past.
The day was led by Ellie, the senior archaeologist for the site. After a brief introduction we were shown the original dig site of the Angles graveyard and the site of the nearby settlement. Then it was on to the site where we would be digging. Ellie explained how this area had been a very early malting area with tanks to soak the grains, ovens to provide heat for germination and clay floors for drying the malt before it was taken away by river. Over the generations there had been successive fires that destroyed the maltings, so new ones were erected next to the previous site.
Keen to get digging, the guys were handed their small trowels, a kneeling mat, bucket and shovel. After some basic instruction on how to ‘dig’ and what to keep an eye out for, we were off. As we started to scrape away our first layer of just a few millimetres the excitement rose, even though none of us really expected to discover actual treasure. But, before long, our first bit of animal bone was unearthed! And then, just a few minutes later, one of the chaps noticed how part of the soil in his area was a different colour and softer than the rest. A quick inspection from Ellie confirmed that this was a ‘post hole’ where, 1,300 years ago, there would have been a wooden post holding up the roof of the maltings.
To draw the day to a close we were shown how some of the ancient crafts of weaving, pottery and metal working would have been done in the Anglo-Saxon village.
It was a great day and enjoyed by all. Despite the fact that none of us had ever done anything like this before, everyone had a chance to get involved and work alongside each other. There is time to talk when you are on your knees scraping away at the ground. Time to share and have a bit of a laugh, time to be amazed at what another member of the group has found – and of course time to dream about the priceless gold broach that you are just about to uncover…
If you live in West Norfolk and would like to get involved in MensCraft Pit Stop activities, then just drop Dave an email: david@1136789091.n79310.test.prositehosting.co.uk or text: 07549854018.
By Dave Friswell, Pit Stop Coordinator, West Norfolk.
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