In addition to the work carried out on Hadrian’s Wall, WallCAP was recently invited by Historic England and English Heritage to undertake fieldwork within a site close to Corbridge Roman Town Site (Corstopitum). The fieldwork was designed to try and establish the nature and condition of buried archaeological deposits. Corbridge Roman Town is located close to the River Tyne and 4.0 km (2.5 miles) south of Hadrian’s Wall. The site for the excavation was located on a playing field, north of the Roman Town and west of Corchesters Towers. Resistance and gradiometer surveys were undertaken by WallCAP volunteers in June 2019. The results of the geophysical survey carried out enabled the WallCAP team to plan the excavation of the site, which was carried out over a two-week period in August 2019.

Results of the Resistivity survey of the playing field

Three trenches were planned to be excavated by hand:  Trench 1 @ 20 metres x 5 metres, Trench 2 @ 5 metres x 1 metre and Trench 3 @ 5 metres x 1 metre, over some interesting features identified during interpretation of the results of the geophysical survey. Trench 1 was located to examine a wide linear feature provisionally interpreted as a possible road, and a square feature, a possible Roman building, adjacent to it. Two smaller trenches, Trench 2 and 3, were each located to establish the nature of rectilinear features, each provisionally identified as possible large Roman buildings.

Before archaeological excavation of the trenches took place, turf had to be lifted and stacked. Heavy rain proved to be a problem during the excavation work. On some days, the first job was to bale water and dry out the trenches, before digging could take place.

I was lucky enough to be part of the excavation team on two days. My first visit was on the 12^th August after heavy overnight rain. All three trenches were full of water and this all had to be removed before the work could continue.

I then spent the rest of the day excavating in the large Trench 1 and was lucky enough to find a large piece of pottery 150mm x 100mm (6 inches x 4 inches) approx. It was found to be part of the body of an Amphora and close to the point where two handles were found earlier in the dig.

The amphora sherd in situ

Ray excavating the amphora body sherd

The amphora handle found near that location earlier in the week

My second visit was on the last day (16th August) and after final recording and soil samples had been finished, it was time to fill in and re-turf Trench 1 and Trench 3. Trench 3 being small, was quickly completed and we then started on the large 20m x 5m one. After a hard day’s work, it soon became clear that the trench would not get filled and re-turfed, that day. Another day had to be organised to finish the job, but I was unable to attend.

Final recording of Trench 1 before backfilling

As usual the organisation, planning, instruction and information given by WallCAP ensures a great project. I would like to thank all those involved for two interesting days at Corbridge.

@RaymondPurvis

Editors Note: Here at WallCAP we’ll like to thank all of our volunteers for their hard work, both during the geophysical survey back in May the two (very wet) week excavation in August. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Just some of the volunteers at Corbridge!

If you couldn’t get along to the dig, don’t worry we are planning to have a results evening in Corbridge over the next couple of months to show you what we found. Please watch this space for more details! If you’re on Twitter, check out our ‘Corbridge Roman Town’ excavation moment, pinned to our profile.

Also, although autumn may be slowing creeping in, WallCAP has a couple of more fieldwork projects lined up for the next couple of months. Keep an eye on the Volunteer portal and our social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for more details as fieldwork dates are firmed up!

@Nicky Garland

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