Welcome to the site of Southwell Community Archaeology Group [SCAG]

SCAG is an informal group having a common interest in archaeology. It was formed to identify, promote and preserve the rich archaeological remains in Southwell particularly the Roman Villa Site Church Street. The Villa is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and one of the larger villas found in the East Midland and of national and regional importance.
SCAG aims to work with others to properly tell the story of the Roman occupation in Southwell. It’s generally thought the Roman Villa was sited on an Iron Age settlement and the later Saxon and Norman development followed.
The Minster and the Leaves of Southwell have an international reputation. We believe the story is incomplete without a proper understanding of the villa site and its influence on the establishment of Southwell.

The Church Street site is the subject of a planning application for development. If granted the Scheduled Ancient Monument will to all intents & purposes be destroyed.
It is essential that the Scheduled Ancient Monument is protected from any development.
In addition SCAG believes the whole site should be thoroughly archaeologically investigated.
We believe the right and only decision is to refuse permission for any development of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. This will enable us with others to meaningfully tell the Roman story which has been waiting 1600 years to be told.
Please look at our site and marvel at the photographs and support us in this.

Looking forward

Southwell Community Archaeology Group
A meeting of Southwell Community Archaeology Group was held on Wednesday 18th November 2009 at The Reindeer, Westgate. The chairman Mr Trevor Wight welcomed members and gave a report of the years activities

Projects had included a Finds Day, a stand at the town’s Family Fun Day and a pottery identification training session run by County Archaeologist, Ursilla Spence. Arrangements were in hand to carry out field walking under the guidance of Nottinghamshire Community Archaeologist, Emily Gillott and it was hoped that the first walk would be held before the end of the year.

The Chairman reported on the formation of a partnership between the four community organisations, SCAG, Southwell Civic Society, Southwell Local History Society and Southwell Heritage Trust, to protect and promote the archaeology of the Roman villa site. Committee member Will Bowden had given an excellent presentation to a very successful public meeting held in February and proposals to call for a full investigation of the site and retention of an undeveloped strip were overwhelmingly supported. Since then Newark & Sherwood District Council had been keen to meet us and although we were still waiting for the final archaeologist’s report English Heritage and the developer’s architect had also agreed to meet us.

New members are always welcome. Further information can be obtained from the website

Firing the Imagination

SCAG believes that the prospect of telling the story of past human settlement in Southwell will fire the imagination of the community. We are confident we can draw upon the help, enthusiasm and energy of local residents, volunteers, organisations.

Project Ideas

• Geophysical survey of the adjacent playing fields to complement the investigation work on the development site.
  
• Review of all archaeological reports, archival research and known finds to provide a composite record and guide to the archaeological story of Southwell, drawing in Roman, Early Medieval, High Medieval and post Medieval, including the Civil War phases - this will provide the key for further initiatives.
  
• Survey of the gardens of The Residence and gardens of the houses in Vicar's Court - with permission of The Dean and Chapter.
  
• Further investigation of the Scheduled Ancient Monument Site area.
  
• Development of specific projects with the local schools, young people and other interested groups.
  
• Finds identification days to give an insight into what has been found, over time, throughout the town.
  
• Investigation of the feasibility of restoration and conservation of known finds and artefacts.
  
• Construction of a small "garden" with appropriate information to permanently mark the villa site for future generations.
  
• Production of replica mosaics - possibly as a pavement on an appropriate site.
  
• Production of a Virtual Tour of the Roman villa area.
  
• Outcomes will include guidebooks, schools information packs, tourism and other literature, visual displays to the benefit of local people and tourists.