Our first public meeting in June 2005 introduced the archaeologist Jamie Quartermaine of Oxford Archaeology North, (OAN), who will be in charge of the survey. He explained that our part of West Cumbria was rich in history from the Mesolithic period onwards and had not been investigated as much as other parts of the Lake District. He also explained that there will be no excavations, just geophysical and other non-destructive methods of detection. In his words "we don't do JCBs"!

On August 4th, the first training session Introduction to desk-based assessment was given by Dan Elsworth of OAN. Using a number of examples, he gave a very informative talk on the importance of this area of the project as it provides the basis for the work out on the site and also sources information for use in the final report. Dan talked us through the various types of information which are the most useful. For example, the 1966 series of aerial photographs have by far the best definition. Dan also stressed the need for accuracy, good record-keeping and proper referencing.

Our first field survey was undertaken in September 2005.  It began with a training day given by Jamie Quartermaine on Sunday, September 18th. About twenty volunteers turned up and were taken straight to the site of Bank End farm above Muncaster Head. 

 

 

As you can see from the survey mapping, a fascinating number of walls and possible buildings appeared over the (19th C) wall by the farm. These are obviously part of the farm complex and we are hoping that we shall be able to understand them better when our archaeologists have been able to study them.

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie demonstrated the use of all the instruments and, throughout the day, gave everyone who was interested a chance to learn how to use them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This green field site (the only part of the project which can be done at this time of the year) also includes other features, such as track ways and other as yet unidentified walls. During the week Peter Schofield (also of Oxford Archaeology North) and a band of volunteers succeeded in surveying most of the features in the field. The weather was not always kind, but work went on in spite of rain and wind.