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welcome to the homepage of WYAC's Broadway Fieldwalk Project
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In 2004 WYAC held its first fieldwalk survey. A previously un-investigated
site was chosen so that the club members would be undertaking a genuine piece of archaeological research. While it was anticipated that the site, which is known from aerial photographic evidence, was likely to yield Roman
pottery, the results far exceeded expectations. A dense scatter of Romano British pottery was recorded, but in addition a large quantity of prehistoric flint was found, much of it Mesolithic, dating to around 7000bc. With the aid of a grant from the Awards for All scheme, WYAC has received funding to fully process and analyze the finds
with the aid of specialist services from the Historic Environment and Archaeology Service and archaeological illustrator Steve Rigby. It cannot be over emphasized, that although specialists services are being used, members of WYAC are always actively
involved in all stages of the finds processing and assessment and illustration. A detailed report is being prepared for publication in the Transactions of the
Worcestershire Archaeology Society, this again will be written with the
help of WYAC members, the first time that children have contributed to this prestigious publication. |
Project History
The Site is defined by a series of enclosures, revealed by cropmarks, which over the past
few years have been revealing the detail of the settlement in exceptional clarity. Prior to the WYAC fieldwalk their had been no formal investigation of this site, apart from some very basic salvage recording to
the south when part of this site was quarried in the 1960s.
The land is owned by Wychavon District Council, and farmed by Mr. Ken Brain, who's help and co-operation in this project is greatly appreciated,
In October 2004 the arable field was partially ploughed to allow for the fieldwalking of
the main enclosure site. A grid of 10m squares was laid out across the field and each given a unique reference number. Then WYAC members and their families systematically collected all the pottery, flints and
metal work they could find in each square. In less than ideal conditions an enormous amount of material was collected, mostly Roman pottery, but more excitingly was a good scatter of flints dating from the
Mesolithic period (c. 7000bc)
Due to the exceedingly good results of the fieldwalk, WYAC applied for and was awarded a
grant from Awards for All to create a formal project, employing professional services from finds experts and illustrators to process and analyze the finds and publish the results in a professional journal.
WYAC members are actively involved in all stages of the work, including finds washing, marking, sorting, drawing and producing a detailed report with phase and distribution plans of the site. This is the stage the
project is currently at.
On
the 25th June, at Lifford Hall in Broadway, WYAC held an exhibition of the
findings of the project for both the general public and special invited guests.
All the finds were displayed and an extensive display panel told the story of
the project so far, detailing all the various activities members had undertaken.
Three members put together an excellent power point presentation which really
brought the project to life. In the afternoon the exhibition was closed to
the public to allow for a special presentation by members of WYAC to family,
teachers and other specially invited guest, including Prof Mick Aston (well
known presenter from Time Team).
The farmer who allowed us to fieldwalk the site was presented with a beautiful framed print of Steve Rigby's' Mesolithic reconstruction painting, and he said he was very happy for us to do more work in the field this year. Mick Aston then gave us a great pep talk and was presented with a WYAC T-shirt (which he promised to wear next time his filming Time Team). He then presented all those involved with the project with special certificates which he signed. We also had a great letter from the Council for British Archaeology and National YAC. THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED
The final report is now being put together for publication, So watch this space. The next phase is now being planned. This is clearly just the beginning!!