Coming up shortly, the Second Annual Hyde900 Community Excavation will take place between 27 and 30 April 2017. The locations this year are in a pair of adjoining gardens in King Alfred Terrace belonging to Chris Prior and his wife Ann (at Number 14) and Justine Field (Number 15) . Material has already come up from the earth which strongly suggests that this area has strong potential for a number of different types of find. There is speculation that the south cloister of the abbey along with other buildings was roughly in this area. But exactly what will be turned up remains to be seen – that's the exciting element of a dig. You can never quite tell what you will – or won't – discover.
Currently the plan is that no less than four separate areas will be excavated with the work being undertaken by a combination of experienced archaeologists and local volunteers. As with the 2016 dig, there will be 2 hour slots for diggers, sievers and finds-processors and recorders to work under the supervision of WARG. In total there should be opportunities for more than 100 volunteers of all ages to take part. This means that we are keen to welcome new people – from school-children to the retired pensioner – to get involved for the first time. It requires concentration but it is a very sociable activity and holds out the possibility of a really exciting discovery.
An exciting new development this year is the filming of the event. Courtesy of Southampton Video Camera club the cameras will be there to record the highs and lows of the excavation – and to see yourself on youtube and our website as the dig progresses.
Hyde900 is grateful to our partners WARG and to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Winchester City Council, Adam Architecture and local estate agents, Belgarum for the support to enable these events to take place. Bookings will open on March 30th.