Monday, 10 August 2009
Monday, 29 June 2009
Interim Excavation Report
A copy of the interim excavation report is available for download from the main Worthng Archaeological Society web site at http://sites.google.com/site/worthingarch/Home/reports
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Further Excavation - 11 & 12 July 2009
Following on from the succesful excavation over the May bank holiday, WAS will return to Parham House to open a number of 1m x 1m test pits to try and determine the extent of the area of Glebe land, and possibly (hopefully!) to locate one or more of the Parsonage buildings that were demolished between 1733 and 1758.
Those interested in taking part in the excavation shoould contact worthing.arch@gmail.com
Those interested in taking part in the excavation shoould contact worthing.arch@gmail.com
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Parham 2009.
This is just a quick summary of the Parham excavation over the bank holiday weekend.
The weather was much kinder to us than last year (although those of us on site at 9.00 a.m. on Monday were worried that the downpour we were met with would last all day).
Over the weekend, we wanted to explore the area of Glebe land where the parsonage once stood, and to examine a feature on the geophysics results which appeared to show a footpath.
The weekend was open to members of the public who took the opportunity to learn about the documentary research that has been undertaken on the Parham Estate, visit the trenches, and even help wash the finds as they were discovered.
We opened three main trenches. Two of these have positively identified the original footpath to the church, which was made up of substantial fragments of sandstone covered with gravel/flint/iron stone. One of these trenches also seems to indicate that the two mounds south of the house are actually made up of the soil removed to make the Ha-Ha.
The main trench, appears to have come down directly on the yard of the parsonage. A sondage at one end shows that the area had been resurfaced at some stage. Finds on the yard surface including salt glazed pottery imported from Germany, fragments of an eighteenth century wine bottle, and a clay pipe bowl all seem to tie up with the probably date of the demolition of the Parsonage by 1750.
We also opened 8 test pits, and these have helped define the western limit of the Glebe land. We hope to return to Parham (possibly later this year) to dig some further 1m x 1m test pits to try and find the northern and eastern limits. We will also be doing some half meter resistivity over the area of Glebe land. Obviously, our main goal is to locate the footprint of the Parsonage, and in particular the cellar mentioned in the documentary evidence.
As well as roof tile, floor tile, bricks, pottery (ranging from the twelfth century onwards), window glass etc, the finds include a possible falconers bell, a decorative copper stud and a possible pair of iron candle snuffers.
The interim report is currently being worked on, so keep an eye on the blog site for details.
The weather was much kinder to us than last year (although those of us on site at 9.00 a.m. on Monday were worried that the downpour we were met with would last all day).
Over the weekend, we wanted to explore the area of Glebe land where the parsonage once stood, and to examine a feature on the geophysics results which appeared to show a footpath.
The weekend was open to members of the public who took the opportunity to learn about the documentary research that has been undertaken on the Parham Estate, visit the trenches, and even help wash the finds as they were discovered.
We opened three main trenches. Two of these have positively identified the original footpath to the church, which was made up of substantial fragments of sandstone covered with gravel/flint/iron stone. One of these trenches also seems to indicate that the two mounds south of the house are actually made up of the soil removed to make the Ha-Ha.
The main trench, appears to have come down directly on the yard of the parsonage. A sondage at one end shows that the area had been resurfaced at some stage. Finds on the yard surface including salt glazed pottery imported from Germany, fragments of an eighteenth century wine bottle, and a clay pipe bowl all seem to tie up with the probably date of the demolition of the Parsonage by 1750.
We also opened 8 test pits, and these have helped define the western limit of the Glebe land. We hope to return to Parham (possibly later this year) to dig some further 1m x 1m test pits to try and find the northern and eastern limits. We will also be doing some half meter resistivity over the area of Glebe land. Obviously, our main goal is to locate the footprint of the Parsonage, and in particular the cellar mentioned in the documentary evidence.
As well as roof tile, floor tile, bricks, pottery (ranging from the twelfth century onwards), window glass etc, the finds include a possible falconers bell, a decorative copper stud and a possible pair of iron candle snuffers.
The interim report is currently being worked on, so keep an eye on the blog site for details.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
This is just a quick summary of the Parham excavation over the bank holiday weekend. Photos and further details will follow.
The weather was much kinder to us than last year (although those of us on site at 9.00 a.m. on Monday were worried that the downpour we were met with would last all day).
Over the weekend, we wanted to explore the area of Glebe land where the parsonage once stood, and to examine a feature on the geophysics results which appeared to show a footpath.
The weekend was open to members of the public who took the opportunity to learn about the documentary research that has been undertaken on the Parham Estate, visit the trenches, and even help wash the finds as they were discovered.
We opened three main trenches. Two of these have positively identified the original footpath to the church, which was made up of substantial fragments of sandstone covered with gravel/flint/iron stone. One of these trenches also seems to indicate that the two mounds south of the house are actually made up of the soil removed to make the Ha-Ha.
The main trench, appears to have come down directly on the yard of the parsonage. A sondage at one end shows that the area had been resurfaced at some stage. Finds on the yard surface including salt glazed pottery imported from Germany, fragments of an eighteenth century wine bottle, and a clay pipe bowl all seem to tie up with the probably date of the demolition of the Parsonage by 1750.
We also opened 8 test pits, and these have helped define the western limit of the Glebe land. We hope to return to Parham (possibly later this year) to dig some further 1m x 1m test pits to try and find the northern and eastern limits. We will also be doing some half meter resistivity over the area of Glebe land. Obviously, our main goal is to locate the footprint of the Parsonage, and in particular the cellar mentioned in the documentary evidence.
As well as roof tile, floor tile, bricks, pottery (ranging from the twelfth century onwards), window glass etc, the finds include a possible falconers bell, a decorative copper stud and a possible pair of iron candle snuffers.
The interim report is currently being worked on, so keep an eye on the blog site for details.
Our sincere thanks go to all at the Parham Estate for their continued support and enthusiasm for our work.
The weather was much kinder to us than last year (although those of us on site at 9.00 a.m. on Monday were worried that the downpour we were met with would last all day).
Over the weekend, we wanted to explore the area of Glebe land where the parsonage once stood, and to examine a feature on the geophysics results which appeared to show a footpath.
The weekend was open to members of the public who took the opportunity to learn about the documentary research that has been undertaken on the Parham Estate, visit the trenches, and even help wash the finds as they were discovered.
We opened three main trenches. Two of these have positively identified the original footpath to the church, which was made up of substantial fragments of sandstone covered with gravel/flint/iron stone. One of these trenches also seems to indicate that the two mounds south of the house are actually made up of the soil removed to make the Ha-Ha.
The main trench, appears to have come down directly on the yard of the parsonage. A sondage at one end shows that the area had been resurfaced at some stage. Finds on the yard surface including salt glazed pottery imported from Germany, fragments of an eighteenth century wine bottle, and a clay pipe bowl all seem to tie up with the probably date of the demolition of the Parsonage by 1750.
We also opened 8 test pits, and these have helped define the western limit of the Glebe land. We hope to return to Parham (possibly later this year) to dig some further 1m x 1m test pits to try and find the northern and eastern limits. We will also be doing some half meter resistivity over the area of Glebe land. Obviously, our main goal is to locate the footprint of the Parsonage, and in particular the cellar mentioned in the documentary evidence.
As well as roof tile, floor tile, bricks, pottery (ranging from the twelfth century onwards), window glass etc, the finds include a possible falconers bell, a decorative copper stud and a possible pair of iron candle snuffers.
The interim report is currently being worked on, so keep an eye on the blog site for details.
Our sincere thanks go to all at the Parham Estate for their continued support and enthusiasm for our work.
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Parham excavation dates.
Digging into Parham’s History…Excavations to find the medieval village
Sunday 24th – Monday 25th May
Worthing Archaeological Society will be investigating the buried history of the Parham estate, and hope to confirm the location of the parsonage.
As well as the excavation, the society will be giving tours/talks through the open days. These will include specific talks on
· desktop research/maps
· finds
· Geophysics
· The open trenches
Come and get your hands on finds dating back to the Roman period, have a go at looking under the ground without digging, talk to the archaeologists and help wash new finds as they are found, all included in the normal admission price!
Sunday 24th – Monday 25th May
Worthing Archaeological Society will be investigating the buried history of the Parham estate, and hope to confirm the location of the parsonage.
As well as the excavation, the society will be giving tours/talks through the open days. These will include specific talks on
· desktop research/maps
· finds
· Geophysics
· The open trenches
Come and get your hands on finds dating back to the Roman period, have a go at looking under the ground without digging, talk to the archaeologists and help wash new finds as they are found, all included in the normal admission price!
Friday, 24 April 2009
Excavation Weekend at Parham House
Sunday 24th– Monday 25th May
Ongoing project to investigate the history of the Parham Estate. This weekend’s work will attempt to locate the parsonage on the area of Glebe land identified by the County Archaeologist. Having revisited the geophysics results from 2008, we will be opening at least four trenches, three on a now hidden path/trackway that leads to the church, and a larger trench on the possible site of the parsonage.
Further trenches may be opened on the weekend.
The excavations will be open for public viewing on Sunday 24th and Monday 25th.
As well as the excavation, we will be undertakin tours/talks through the open days. These will include specific talks on
Sunday 24th– Monday 25th May
Ongoing project to investigate the history of the Parham Estate. This weekend’s work will attempt to locate the parsonage on the area of Glebe land identified by the County Archaeologist. Having revisited the geophysics results from 2008, we will be opening at least four trenches, three on a now hidden path/trackway that leads to the church, and a larger trench on the possible site of the parsonage.
Further trenches may be opened on the weekend.
The excavations will be open for public viewing on Sunday 24th and Monday 25th.
As well as the excavation, we will be undertakin tours/talks through the open days. These will include specific talks on
- desktop research/maps,
- finds (including finds from the digging of the Ha Ha in the 1970’s),
- Geophysics,
- The open trenches, and;
- Structures on the estate, including the Dovecote and the Ice House
Note to Worthing Archaeological Society members:
The society will be on site from Saturday 23rd May, although the site will NOT be open to the public until Sunday 24th May.
We will be looking for at least 6 people each day to run talks (to ensure we have sufficient cover over breaks/lunchtime), 8 excavators to cover the four trenches, and 2 people to assist with finds processing.
Even if the weather is bad, we will also need to ensure that we have sufficient people on site to continue with the talks. If you are a member of the Worthing Archaeological Society and would like to take part in this weekends work please e-mail worthing.arch@gmail.com confirming which days you are available for.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Revisiting the Geophysics
Based on the comments from John Mills, we have looked again at the geophysics done at Parham last year, and there appears to be a large area of "noise" on both sides of the footpath half way between the church and the car park.This ties in with John's estimated position of the church land where the parsonage was located unitl the end of the 1700's when it was pulled own. The area of noise is also adjacent to a east-west feature that appears to be a path to the gate in the church yard, which may have been exposed in one of our trenches last year, when on the last day of the dig we deturfed an area on one of the mounds by the path, and located a packed iron-stone surface.
Therefore, this area could be one of the targets for the exacavtion over the late May bank holiday weekend.
Monday, 19 January 2009
New Year Research.
Our first visit to Parham will be the 7th of February, meet at 10am in car park.
We have some new information in relationship to the location of the village, more details will be posted very soon.
We have some new information in relationship to the location of the village, more details will be posted very soon.
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