Join an Exciting New Archaeological Excavation in Cumbria!
22 July to 2 August 2024.
Grampus Heritage and Training will be running an exciting new archaeological excavation. They are looking for volunteers to take part in the dig and look forward to working together to uncover the history of settlement and activity at Tarns.
Background
In 2022 an intriguing cropmark was identified, which appears to show the posthole arrangement of a large timber building measuring 50m in length by 15m wide. This feature is new to the archaeological record and there are no recorded buildings in this location on historic maps. With funding from the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) fund, and kind permission of the landowners, Grampus led a team of volunteers over the winter of 2023/2024 to complete a geophysical survey of the cropmark location and surrounding fields. The geophysical survey revealed several ‘anomalies of interest’ on the land at Tarns and we would now like to investigate further!
Excavation Aims
Following a second successful application to the FIPL fund, they are now able to run a 12-day excavation at High Tarns from 22nd July to 2nd August (including weekend of 27th/28th July). The excavation will consist of 2 trenches.
Trench 1 is located over the cropmark, which appears to show the posthole arrangement of a large timber building. The trench aims to find evidence for the date and purpose of the structure. The planned excavation area is positioned to cover the eastern and western extent of the building and to include four of the larger internal pits or postholes, as identified from the aerial photograph.
Trench 2 targets part of a complex of anomalies to the south of trench 1. The location of the trench targets an anomaly visible in the aerial photograph as well as in both magnetometry and resistivity.
There have been no previous archaeological excavations in this field and it isn’t possible to accurately propose a date or function for the anomalies at this stage. Whatever the results of the excavation, they will surely know more about the history of Tarns than currently and I hope that you can join Grampus Heritage and Training in finding the answers.
Site information
-The excavation will take place at High Tarns Farm, Silloth, Cumbria, CA7 4NQ
-The roads leading to the farm can be narrow in parts and please be aware that sand and gravel trucks from nearby quarries also use these roads (often at a brisk pace!)
-Parking will be available at the top of the excavation field to the south of the farmyard. The field is naturally well drained (on gravel sub-soil) and we hope for fair weather.
-Please drive very slowly through the farmyard to access the parking area through the field gate.
-2 temporary toilet units will be provided for use throughout the excavation
-A sheltered area is available for breaks and lunch
Volunteering
Grampus Heritage and Training are seeking 10 – 15 volunteers per day.
Volunteer working hours are from 9.30am to 4.99pm daily.
Volunteers will be divided between the 2 trenches and supported by archaeologists Kevin Mounsey and Mark Graham.
Please bring your own lunch, drinks (flask for tea/coffee) and suitable outdoor clothing including sturdy boots.
It would be nice to guarantee that activities such as finds washing will be carried out on site, but first we will need some finds!
Please email emmagrampusheritage@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the excavation as a volunteer.
