It's been a trial...

Finishing off a trial trench then onto the main excavation to the north-west, where we will open a 5m square to see if the house wall runs in that direction and if it does we can open the area to 10m square by machine. Fingers crossed we get floor surfaces etc this time.

Trench Q awaiting back filling

Reducing the overburden of dumped material by hand - hard work

But worthwhile when more structures appear

"You want this taken down by hand?!"

Archaeology - what can you do? The walls we have dug at Stalbridge are good, but the house may run off them to the North-West, not the South-East! 
Local research and geophiz suggested the latter, but careful measurements (of the existing walled garden - it was extended) and reinterpretation of what looked like a classic 17th c. garden suggest the former, as this garden may actually be the house, as suggested by the old map (which we were skeptical of). 
It's 50/50, so a 5m square test pit is needed to find out. I was not a happy bunny yesterday morning, but now it could be quite exciting to have floor surfaces. 

[The drone shot north arrow is wrong]

Doing very Well

The cap on the Well was removed to assess the shape, depth and construction of the Well. After recording, photographing and leveling the cap will be replaced. H & S demands that this feature is now finished and the farm manager will back fill. However, he may decide to keep the outer walls showing as a feature and this would make a nice memorial to our work this year. 

Removing the cap stone

A sturdy feature

Over 8m deep

We are now concentrating on establishing the shape and form of the house by opening 5m square trenches at certain locations and also looking at some walls that were indicated by geophysics to the east of last years trench, which may also be indicated on this old drawing. Also, it may have had what is called a 'stylobate'. This is a platform in front of the main door of a house, sometimes decorated with columns. As can be seen here the gate gives access to an enclosed area leading up to the entrance where the stylobate would be situated. This is where the elongated earth mound now sits. 

Our 2018 trench is the right hand corner of the house with what looks like a wall running away from it.

    

To uncap it all

The great stone covering the well will be opened on Wednesday!

Work continues on the earth mound wall section.

We will also be opening another trench in the south east area of the site to find out the exact location of this part of the house. 

Testing, testing...

We have been given permission in July to do a small 2m x 2m test pit at Weycroft Hall, Axminster to see if there are any surviving foundations of the medieval buildings once attached to the hall. 

Not sure why the videos won't open, so back to pix.

The 'well' dig goes on. The walls are being recorded now that the internal fills have been removed.

The Great Drain mystery has been solved. They serviced.... garderobes! 

Well wall went well

We are continuing the excavation of the 'well' and after recording lifting the 'cap' stone.