Day 4
Friday 27th August 2004

Rain Rain Rain

We started work this morning under very wet and dispiriting rain. The big event of the day was the digger, driven by John Andrews, which came to shift the soil down to the occupation level – about half a metre. Two metal detectorists checked the spoil as it was deposited, and a large group searched and sifted through the heaps. About 23 people were working here today.

We found plenty of Romano British pottery, mainly grey and black, but the most exciting finds were two or three bits of Samian ware, quite large and in one case lipped. A Roman roof tile also turned up, leading to speculation… The team enjoyed actually picking bits up – we felt we were actually making progress after all the turf lifting.

Some brave souls continued to lift turf at the river end of the first trench, as the professionals had decided that another two metres would be useful. They also wanted to cut a thin section running from trench 1 to trench 2, still trying to trace accurately the geophysical anomalies.

The Digger

Standing on its sturdy legs it delved neatly into the sandy soil, scooping the soft sand and revealing things hidden for hundreds of years. The line of excavation follows today’s contour so accurately, giving a picture of the land gradually building up. John Andrews manipulates it to within a centimetre, working his controls with panache. David Gill watches like a hawk lest a mechanical bucket should destroy some artefact in a moment of inattention.

Work seemed so slow at first, but Roy Damant explained that this is necessary until the living level is established, and thereafter the soil can be removed more quickly. Fortunate, as we only have the digger today.

The Grid

Once the occupation level has been reached, a grid of pegs and string will be set up, so that each find can be located in space. The sides of the trench will be made vertical, to help establish strata.