Moor Medieval Conference

A parish based project to develop understanding about medieval life and to explore the effect that early farming had on the landscape of Dartmoor over more than a thousand years.

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On a beautiful, sunny day in April, members of the Moor Medieval Study Group gathered in Bovey Tracey for an archaeological test pit training event. The day, part of the Moor than meets the eye Moor Medieval project, led by Historic Buildings Officer Keith McKay, took place in a garden in Bovey Tracey, thought to contain the remains of a Medieval building.A test pit is a small-scale archaeological excavation, usually consisting of a 1m by 1m square trench. Groups of test pits are used to sample the range of artefacts present in the topsoil across an area. Each pit is dug methodically in ‘spits’ or layers around 10 cm deep with the finds from each layer being kept separate and carefully recorded. Comparing the results of multiple test pits can indicate the type of archaeology which may lie buried beneath the soil. Programmes of test pits can be combined with historical research or different types of field survey to provide a powerful tool for the investigation of the past enabling archaeologists and historians to understand the development of sites, hone research questions and target future work more effectively. Dr Lee Bray, National Park archaeologist started the day’s training by explaining how to set up a test pit, remove and store turf, and excavate in spits. Due to the large group size, four test pits were opened in various locations around the garden and orchard and digging began in earnest.

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Fourteen members of the study group met at Headland Warren on a spectacularly clear and sunny day for a guided walk around Headland Warren and it’s surrounds. The group was led by Lee Bray, Archaeologist, Dartmoor National Park Authority and the although the main focus of the walk was to look for evidence of medieval tin mining, the group viewed a wide variety of archaeological features such as pillow mounds, ancient vermin traps, mining remains from across history and even a stone row! The Whortleberries were in full flavour and delayed progress slightly but a good walk and an interesting time was had by all. If you would like to find out about forthcoming fieldtrips as part of the Moor Medieval Study Group, please contact Community Heritage Officer, Emma Stockley and ask to be put on the mailing list. emma@moorthanmeetstheeye.org

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