Help Needed for Archaeological Dig
Help Needed for Archaeological Dig
Volunteers needed to help find Scottish artefacts from the Battle of Flodden.
Following on from the hugely successful dig at Norham Castle in April, the Flodden 1513 team are looking for another team of volunteers to unearth some more of the story behind the Battle of Flodden. This, the second Flodden 1513 Archaeology Excavation dig, will take place at Ladykirk in Berwickshire from 4 – 14 May.
During the dig, volunteers will investigate the fields between Ladykirk Church and the River Tweed and to the east of the Church. Any findings will form part of the wider Flodden 1513 project to commemorate the 500th anniversary of this important battle. As full training will be given, no previous experience is necessary just a willingness to roll up your sleeves and join in.
The aim of this dig is to investigate features which were identified during geophysical surveys in the spring of 2012. These include two possible gun emplacements on the edge of the river terrace, and the remains of an 18th Century farm steading to the east of the church. The steading, though later than the period of the battle, will be interesting to dig and is being investigated with the aim of establishing whether there are earlier buildings possibly relating to James IV’s use of the site and maybe the construction of the church still surviving under the remains of the later buildings.
“As the dig at Norham Castle proved so popular, I am really keen to progress to the Ladykirk site to look for further artefacts and evidence to give us a clearer idea of what transpired at Flodden” explains Chris Burgess, Flodden 1513 Archaeological Manager.
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Reporting on the recent dig at Norham Castle Chris Burgess said:
“As suspected from the start, the excavation targets visible in the geophysical survey at Norham Castle were not siege works connected to James IV’s attack on the castle in 1513 (or to any other siege for that matter). However the community excavators have none the less provided valuable information about the castle that gives a better understanding of its extent and the things that went on within its walls. The excavation trenches found not only the remains of cultivation but also of an industrial ‘yard’ where it seems lead objects, both military and domestic were being made. Beneath this ‘yard’ were the remains of the foundations of several buildings which show just how extensive structures were in the outer ward of the castle. “
The finds and results from Norham Castle will be worked on through the summer and an interim report prepared which will be made available for people to read on the iFlodden website and will be passed to English Heritage to aid in their management of the site.
For those keen to find out more about their local history, the dig is part of an extensive range of training courses, taster courses and archaeological excavations taking place on both sides of the border. Chris is also planning further excavations at Flodden Hill as well as some back garden digs in Branxton and Crookham. To help with the projects volunteers will also be able to attend training in Metal Detecting, Finds Handling and Recording, Archaeological Illustration and Surveying.
To reserve a place on the Ladykirk dig, please email [email protected] quoting Ladykirk dig in the subject line. To ensure that you have the necessary insurance, anyone working on the dig will need to be a member of Till Valle Archaeological Society (TillVAS) or take out its annual ‘field work’ membership cost £2.
For more information on the all the activities taking place to mark the anniversary please visit www.flodden1513.com.
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For further information, images and interviews, please contact:
Barbara Huddart – Marketing Consultant to the Committee of the Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum. e: [email protected] – t: 01668 283044 – 07980850394
Notes to Editors
About Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum Ltd:
Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum Ltd is a not-for-profit company established to coordinate the heritage and legacy of the Battle of Flodden as well as mark its quincentenary in 2013. An ecomuseum offers a new perspective on how to interpret ‘heritage and association of place’. It is a concept which allows the interconnection of sites or projects which are associated to a central theme or story and does so without claiming central ownership or control. It is a sustainable museum- created, owned and directed by its community- the Flodden community.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 34,000 projects, allocating £5billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
