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castle diary
| This extramural area of approx 16ha includes the earthworks of the northern, eastern and central parts of Wallingford Castle, as well as meadowland between the castle and the river. There is the potential here for detecting indications of Saxon pre-castle extra-mural activity as well as medieval castle-related and later structures and features including Civil War period elements. Prior to 2008, the the only recorded archaeological investigations were unpublished excavations by Brooks in 1965-8.
The purpose of the main trench is to explore a large rectangular feature on the W side of the castle bailey, detected through geophysical survey in April 2009. The high resistance feature could represent the platform for a large building, possibly a hall. The alignment of the feature seems to be slightly off the line of later garden features, implying a probable earlier date. The purpose of the extension is to explore the relationship between the building platform and the bailey wall, picking up at the same time any intra-mural road that may run between them. The excavation would be of great use in the interpretation of the resistivity plot.
Daily entries by Andy Hyam and the Castle Team
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22nd July
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| the final stages of the excavation |
19th July
18th July
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info soon...
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16th July
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info soon...
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15th July
| After a busy day yesterday with visits from some very interested and well-informed local school childern we gave our full attention to the castle trench. The wall is now well and truly identified as a substantial foundation wall that could have supported either a masonry or timber wall structure above ground. Elsewhere across the trench we have been recording and drawing the features that have been excavated so far. Lots of cooking pot sherds and animal bones are appearing and are keeping the finds processing team busy. Lots more tomorrow! |
| images on their way some time soon... |
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13th July
| The mysterious stonework has now begun to turn into a real wall! A small slot into a linear feature (probably a ditch) showed that a later pit had been dug that had been subsequently built over by our wall. This is a great example of phasing, or dating, that we as archaeologists are always looking for. Initial excavation into the pit indicates that the wall will be at least five courses high with hopefully more to come. see this page for more. |
12th July
| Cleaning and trial slotting have been the order of the day. We are beginning to understand the stone features now which seem to be resolving themselves into what will hopefully be a wall – although in the true traditions of archaeology we reserve the right to change our ideas several times each day! More high status finds in the form of probable window glass and glazed floor tile are appearing in the upper layers indicating a high status building somewhere in the vicinity. We have begun to excavate slots into the linear features hoping to find dating evidence, usually pottery, to try and get an idea of phases across the site. Lots of measuring and recording can be seen taking place so if you see an excavator gazing at the ground they are hopefully analysing their work rather than thinking about their evening meal! |
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| Lonely troweller, where have the others gone? |
The start of a slot through the upper layers begins. |
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| One of the stone bases after cleaning. |
The Castle Team working hard again. |
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9th July
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Those stones we spotted over the last few days have really begun to materialise into something structural now! The heavy trowelling is beginning to pay off with possible robber trenches and/or ditches showing up quite clearly. We have now begun to excavate some of these features and are getting a variety of pottery dating from the 12th century right through to the post medieval period. The final task of the day was either to backfill a small extension trench or to play a game of rounders. Guess what the Castle Team chose?.......Backfilling! Yep, I'm surprised too but it's a tribute to the dedication of the team.
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8th July
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Stonework began to appear with exciting regularity, indicating structures emerging within the trench. Theories alternate between pier bases, floor surfaces and buttresses – materials are limestone (carefully laid rubble) plus tile. Further careful and dedicated excavation will no doubt reveal more. Finds to note include glazed tile fragments and possible decorated window glass – both may well indicate a high status structure, in keeping with its location in the presumed inner bailey.
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"Work continued apace at Castle Meadows. I began investigating a possible robber trench and first impressions show that it may well indeed be one. Watch this space!"
Rob A. (Uni. of Exeter)
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6th & 7th July
 
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"Shielding between rain spurts there was some archaeology! However the threat of a thunder storm meant that half the afternoon was spent in the ditch of the moat hoping to avoid possible lightening strikes! Despite this the morning was spent taking levels for the pre-excavation plans and the afternoon spent finding out that the possible buttresses/pillars are probably not meant to be as little mortar was found! The day was a success however in seeing one of our member in a fetching bin bag number to avoid the rain!"
Charlotte W (Uni. Of Leicester)
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5th July
castle diary
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