Have you ever wondered about the history buried beneath your garden? This autumn is your chance to find out. For four days, from 19th – 22nd October, archaeologists from Past Participate, supported by the Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme (QLPS), will be in Nether Stowey continuing a programme of Test-Pitting aimed at investigating the historic development of Quantock villages.
Test-Pitting involves local residents digging small 1m wide excavations in their own gardens and recording them archaeologically. It is a well-used technique both for engaging communities in archaeological research, and for providing information in occupied areas which other methods cannot access.
No experience is necessary: participants will be supervised by professional archaeologists to learn how to dig a test-pit and identify and record archaeological finds. These finds can then be mapped to help shine a light on how the village has developed over time.
The project is now seeking residents of Nether Stowey interested in taking part. So, if you have a garden you would like to be included in the project, whether you would like to dig it yourself or let others do the hard work for you; or if you don’t have a garden but would like to take part as a digger, please get in touch with Dan Broadbent, QLPS Historic Heritage Officer at [email protected] to find out more and register your interest.
Dan Broadbent, Historic Heritage Officer, Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme
