CAER: Chester Amphitheatre Environs Research Project

Today was a measure of patience… as the dimensions of trench eight were calculated. The day yielded two coins, one Roman (trench IV), the other Elizabethan (trench VIII). Diligent finds marking The spoil heap was tended to today after once again being overloaded with soil. It would benefit all members of this dig to place spoil OVER THE SIDE OF THE SPOIL HEAP.  Finds were cleaned throughout the day and marked with their respective context numbers. This blog entry is the first to feature a complete view of the site from atop the now cleaned spoil heap (Which soil should be placed OVER THE SIDE OF). Excavation site at the end of week 3 Joe, Kieran & Rowan

Day 2 Dig Director Simon introduces us to the trench - Work has successfully started for the new season blessed by some fine weather with the odd shower to keep the site moist. We have reopened Trench IV, which we last looked at back in 2008. It is an area that has great potential with loads of demolition material from the mansion destroyed during the Civil War in 1645 and the hope that a Roman road passes under it. The process of emptying out the old backfill (mainly by machine but finished off by students) has produced quantities of finds even though it had been excavated before (that's the second hand archaeology!). Our metal detectorist, Colin, has found a quantity of musket balls from the Civil War, whilst the students have found lots of pottery and clay tobacco pipes from the period. Now we have cleared that away, we are on to the serious stuff, cleaning up new undisturbed layers. More updates soon! Julie sums up the day's events - As well as clearing out the backfill, e...