Southwell Archaeology- the site of Southwell Community Archaeology Group (SCAG)

SCAG Fieldwalk
(Wednesday 2nd December 2009 10am – 12.30pm)

The group’s first experience of field-walking, a non-destructive survey method, was led by Community Archaeologists Emily Gillott and Chris Robinson.

Emily in foreground with SCAG members

The walk took place on a newly ploughed field with the kind permission of the landowner and tenant farmer. Although attendance was good the field was very large therefore the exercise was restricted to the south-east corner marked by the hedge boundary. A non-collection method of survey had been suggested with items identified flagged for recording.

When fieldwalking the area selected may be defined by lines or grids to ensure the ground is inspected evenly. For this ‘taster’ session group members lined up at arms length from each other along the lower field boundary, towards the ridge of the field. Initially it was planned to record every item but it soon became clear that a large part of the debris was fragments of modern brick therefore these were excluded. All other items were flagged and recorded but retrospectively it may have also been useful to exclude fragments of land-drain which we soon learned to recognise. However a number of Victorian items, for example fragments of clay pipes, were identified together with two small shards of medieval pottery.

Medieval shard

By 11.30am about 200 items had been accurately marked therefore one group numbered and recorded each item with description while another plotted the positions using an Electronic Distance Measurer (EDM) and ranging pole.

Lining the EDM up with ranging pole

Close-up view of EDM

The exercise allowed the group to gain some experience of systematically fieldwalking a sample area from which it would be possible to extrapolate some results for the field. Although finds were relatively few, there have been items previously recovered and the aim of the project was to explore the process in readiness for future events which could possibly yield more. Individuals varied in their ability to identify certain objects and further practice can only improve that ability.

Invariably consideration of artefacts will use a variety of techniques, non-destructive always being the first line of enquiry. Consideration of the artefact within its context may answer the required question, particularly within assemblages.

It is hoped to hold another walk during 2010 in the Osmanthorpe area. Although initial discussions have taken place with the landowner much will depend on the weather and plans for sowing his crop.