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A New Member’s Experience - David Grenfell (Newsletter No 7 2004)
In July 1995 I spent six enjoyable days at a Summer School course in Excavation Techniques at Bignor Roman Villa in West Sussex, a few miles from the village of Storrington where I then lived. The course, designed to introduce students to the major analytical aspects of archaeology, was managed by the Field Archaeology Unit of the Institute of Archaeology, University of London.The site Director was David Rudling.
Bignor Villa, discovered in 1811 and owned by the Tupper Family, is one of the largest known in Roman Britain, encompassing an area of nearly two hectares. It has many fine fourth century mosaics and lies close by Stane Street just under the north slope of the South Downs. Chichester, the Roman Noviomagus Regnensium, is approximately 16 kilometres to the south west.
The course, which was blessed by uncharacteristic high 70’s sunshine, provided an introduction to the whole gamut of excavation techniques, including the use of a metal detector as an aid to surveying. I will not bore you with a detailed account of the daily activities. I’m sure you will be familiar with such things as: the advantages of using a Hymack with a toothless bucket against a mattock when removing over burden (did I hear someone saying “I wish”?) Or the importance of inspecting garderobe pits for evidence of parasite eggs (please do not ask why!) Suffice it to say that each day was filled with instructive tutoring and much activity. There was also plenty of entertainment from the public! One event still amuses me. I was happily trowelling away at my corner of the inner courtyard when I heard an officious “excuse me!” I looked up to see two Barberclad middle-aged couples peering down at me. I asked if I could help and received a reply from one of the ladies, that, no I could not, but that her husband could certainly help us. Husband then explained that he had the ability to see beneath the soil and knew what we were digging for and exactly where it was. He then proceeded to an area, that had been excavated last season, pointed dramatically to the ground and informed me that he could see two flights of stone steps descending about 10 feet to a circular walled area with a small fountain in the centre. Concealed in a secret chamber beneath this fountain was the gold! No prizes for guessing my reply - all two words of it!.
With a site such as Bignor and tutors and entertainers of high calibre, I and my 17 fellow students were well pleased with our £95.00 investment. Bignor (grid reference SU 987147) is open March to October and well worth a visit - Telephone: 01798 869259 . The Summer School is still offering Excavation Technique courses but as Bignor is now completed they have moved on to a new Roman site at Hassocks near Lewes in East Sussex - Web: www.archaeologyse.co.uk
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