Owen Visick writes about the Pevensey Church Farm Archaeology project which aims to enhance understanding of the historic village of Pevensey through excavation of a site of local and national significance
After years of waiting and negotiating, work has started.
On Bank Holiday Monday, despite the heavy rain, a team of students from Bader International Study Centre started clearing the site.
Led by Dr Scott McLean of BISC and supervised by Chris Greatorex of CGArchaeology they cleared the site of undergrowth and rubble and marked out the first area for excavation.
By Wednesday they had the area divided into 1 metre squares, which will facilitate the recording of any findings.
The students and their leaders work with great enthusiasm, and we look forward to being able, with their help, to achieve the Trust’s aim of extending the parish burial ground.
It is possible to view the project from the churchyard, and to follow its progress on www.pevenseychurchfarm.org.uk“.
background to project
The project consists of a three-year excavation including international students studying at Queen’s University (Canada) Bader International Study Centre and members of the local community, providing professional supervision and training.
The management team will coordinate the publication of the project’s findings, and public access will be guaranteed through visits, a website, use of social media (Facebook), an academic conference and a community event celebrating two important anniversaries in 2016: the 950th of William the Conqueror’s landing in 1066, and the 800th anniversary of the completion of St. Nicolas Church in 1216.
The project will see to the proper conservation and storage of all artefacts, while ensuring public access through on-line resources and a permanent display in St. Nicolas Church.
Data collected will enhance research into local history and environmental studies examining sea level changes and their impact during the medieval era.
On completion the area excavated will be landscaped and used as additional burial space.
IMAGE CREDIT: OWEN VISICK : students removing and sifting the top-soil square by square
