The dig got off to a slow start. No mechanical digger to pull off the topsoil this time around. It took some of us a day to get the topsoil off and begin to get into the ground where plows have not turned up the earth and damaged the Roman remains. Fairly quickly Sue found the first small find of the season for Area B! That was quickly followed by Roman architectural remains showing through as the bottom courses of the walls. The structure is small and may be a room or mausoleum. The two temple/shrines found a couple of years ago are just west of where we are digging. One of the pictures I'm posting is the first week crew for Area B. The picture is of Sue, Tom, Amy, Justin (the archaeologist), Tassos, Pete, myself, and Roger. Sue, Tassos, and Roger were with us for just a week. We will be getting three veteran volunteer diggers when we start on Tuesday. We dig five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday.
On Saturday, while Justin was talking to another group of tourists, Tassos found another great small find and I found what may be one of the pre-Hadrianic posts. Within five minutes of each other! Needless to say, when the tourists knew how important the discoveries were, we got a round of applause. Definitely made me feel like an animal on display. Great to have found a post so early. There will be pictures of it next week when we are able to excavate around the post. It is important because wood does not preserve well in the ground.
The other picture is of the Twice Brewed Inn which is where I am staying for April. It is less than a mile from Vindolanda. I would normally have to walk to be there by 8.45 but Pete, one of the diggers in my crew, has a car, so I am able to get a lift. 
The last two pictures are of samian ware bowls, semi-posh serving dishes basically, with decoration. The one is a lion and the other looks to be Hercules. All for now.
On Saturday, while Justin was talking to another group of tourists, Tassos found another great small find and I found what may be one of the pre-Hadrianic posts. Within five minutes of each other! Needless to say, when the tourists knew how important the discoveries were, we got a round of applause. Definitely made me feel like an animal on display. Great to have found a post so early. There will be pictures of it next week when we are able to excavate around the post. It is important because wood does not preserve well in the ground.
The other picture is of the Twice Brewed Inn which is where I am staying for April. It is less than a mile from Vindolanda. I would normally have to walk to be there by 8.45 but Pete, one of the diggers in my crew, has a car, so I am able to get a lift.
The last two pictures are of samian ware bowls, semi-posh serving dishes basically, with decoration. The one is a lion and the other looks to be Hercules. All for now.
4 comments:
What good fortune to find a post so early. You must be very happy with this find. Looks like the weather is much better than you hoped at this time in April. Good hunting to you next week! M
Matt,
From your first post it seems that you have kept busy...finding historic wood! We, the UF alumni association, are proud of you!
Anywho, enjoy the 'Function Room' in your inn.
ciao,
Stuart
Good work, Matt! However, you did leave out the description of the devious bobby-traps that you had to disarm to discover these artifacts. Great pictures, BTW.
Chris
No golden idols studded with priceless gems? Hardly seems worth risking your life in an ancient, cursed temple of a long-forgotten culture.
Or something like that.
Good job, Matt. Its very exciting that you've had a great find in just your first week. Looking forward to hearing about more!
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