Learning the Ropes: Our First Test Pit Demonstration Weekend

Following Mathew Morris’s comprehensive workshop on running a community archaeological project, it was time for the core group to put theory into practice. Before inviting the wider community to pick up trowels, we needed to master the end-to-end process of excavating and recording a standard 1m x 1m test pit.

Fortunately, committee members David and Deanne were already seasoned hands, having excavated numerous test pits alongside Mathew Morris on previous projects. With their expertise leading the way, they stepped up to guide the rest of the team through every step of the technique.

For our trial location, committee member Simon Warburton kindly offered his garden right in the heart of the village—an ideal spot to kick off our hands-on field investigations.

Over a fantastic two-day weekend, the team covered the full archaeological process from square one:

• Site Setup & Surveying: Laying out a precise 1m x 1m square, aligning it accurately to north, and plotting its exact location on spatial maps.

• Excavation Technique: Carefully digging down in controlled 10cm context layers to ensure proper stratigraphic recording.

• Processing Finds: Sieving soil to catch smaller artifacts, washing finds, and accurately completing context sheets and site logs.

• Site Restoration: Backfilling and neatly reinstating the turf to leave the lawn just as we found it.

It was a hugely enjoyable and rewarding weekend that brought the core group together, sharpened our fieldwork skills, and proved that we were ready to lead Barrow’s upcoming community digs with confidence.