Archaeologists to dig at Lincolnshire site which could have been part of Roman tribe's sub-capital
This article originally appeared on Culture24.
Old Place, near Iron Age mint where Sleaford Romans imported pottery, to be excavated by archaeologists
Old Place, on Sleaford's Boston Road, lies near a medieval manor house site© Courtesy OSHGThe investigation at an undeveloped piece of land will be led by archaeologists working out of a rented unit near a medieval manor house owned by Sir John Hussey, a local baron who was a key member of Mary I’s household during the 16th century.
“This part of Old Sleaford is rich in evidence of Iron Age, Roman and later occupation and this bit of land is one of the last areas available for excavation,” says Dale Trimble, who is part of the Old Sleaford Heritage Group which has won £57,000 in Heritage Lottery Fund money towards the two-year project.
“Test pits were dug in May and revealed both Roman and Medieval finds.
“We intend to project manage the dig ourselves and aim to train our volunteers in all aspects of the process involved in an excavation.
“We are a community group who want, at every stage of the project, as much involvement as possible by our members and other like-minded groups.
“We are relying on them to help at every stage of the process, from this early research and organising phase through to the dig itself and on to the post-activity writing and reporting.”
Old Place is within the limits of the Roman town, lying close to an Iron Age mint where residents also imported continental pottery around 2,000 years ago.
Several excavations since the 1960s have recovered evidence from between 50 BC and the Roman invasion in AD 43, leading experts to suggest that the town was a sub-capital of the local Corieltauvi Iron Age tribe.
- Visit Old Sleaford Heritage Group, follow the group on Twitter @oldsleaford and find them on Facebook.
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Three museums to discover the history of Lincolnshire in
Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Lincoln
Displays include life in Victorian Times, agriculture and industry and transport, including an impressive collection of steam and oil engines. The museum is also home to the Royal Lincolnshire Regimental Galleries.
North Lincolnshire Museum, Scunthorpe
Become a nature detective in Go Wild, step back in time in the Victorian ironstone cottage, relive the Peoples’ War and climb the stairs to visit the archaeology gallery and award-winning temporary exhibition spaces.
Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, Spalding
Set in a Medieval Hall dating to around 1451, this Grade I-listed building includes exhibitions, displays and educational spaces within five acres of beautiful Gardens that include a 17th century icehouse and the Spalding's War Memorial, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
