Huttons Ambo Archaeological Dig, 27th July – 11th August 2024
For a fortnight this summer Huttons Ambo played host to students and enthusiasts from around the globe enrolled on an archaeological dig run by Ethos Heritage CIC, a Yorkshire based community-focused heritage organisation. Several local residents took the opportunity to join the dig, and many others kept an interested eye on proceedings during their daily walks.
Geophysics done earlier in the year highlighted areas of interest on private land in the village, and several trenches were opened to investigate. Although all trenches produced numerous finds, including some very early pottery, by week two it was decided to concentrate efforts on the two trenches showing evidence of built structures.
Trench 1 uncovered a substantial right-angled wall, and corresponding pottery finds allowed the archaeologists to confidently date it to the 13th century. There is speculation that this structure might relate to a medieval manor mentioned in the Domesday Book but lost on the ground. The area also produced several finds related to a WWII encampment, including anti-tank rifle rounds and a NAAFI fork.
In Trench 8 another built structure appeared, thought to be a large, plastered building demolished in the 17th or 18th century. The building’s use and size is unknown, but quantities of pottery and butchered animal bone, along with finds such as an oyster shell and a nit comb suggest a domestic function. Both trenches answered several questions but raised many more, leaving plenty of scope for further investigation.
Ethos Heritage hosted a very well attended open evening on the final weekend to explain the project and allow local residents to see and handle the most interesting finds. Given the success of the dig we are delighted that they will be returning next summer to continue where they left off.
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