List of our projects

List of our excavations

Broomwell House estate

In March 2009 we undertook our first archaeological excavation — a test pit 1m square and 60cm deep at a private residence on Sandholme Road. The site selected was within the old boundary wall of the Broomwell House estate.

Around 2,000 individual finds were collected, cleaned and catalogued. These finds were mostly building rubble from various phases of occupation, demolition and rebuilding. We were meticulous in our recording because this dig was envisaged as a learning exercise, and familiarity with wide range of finds is important in helping us identify them at other sites. In any case, even though many of these items are relatively modern in date, they are each of archaeological significance as all were the product of human activity at the site.

At the bottom of the pit, in the sixth of the 10cm layers excavated, a small piece of dark grey flint was found. Less than 2cms long, it was made from a long, thin blade. It was identified by lithic specialist Don Henson of the Council for British Archaeology, as dating to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, and classified as probably being a hollow scraper. As such it can be dated to around 2,000 BCE.

Other finds from this excavation include a prehistoric flint flake created as a waste product of knapping to make a tool, some 17th — 19th century North Devon Gravel Tempered Ware pottery, and a large amount of 20th century builder's rubble, along with the ubiquitous pieces of clay pipes for smoking tobacco.



Conclusion
There was evidence for multi-period use of the site, ranging from 2,000 BCE to the present day, including a large quantity of 20th century builders' rubble. No evidence of human activity was found between the Bronze Age and post-Tudor periods. Significant disturbance of the ground in the late 20th century, has destroyed stratification to the full depth of the excavation (0.6m).

The Site Report written by Rosie Tomlinson with contributions from Ken Taylor and David Waters has been published in April 2010. Please contact us for details of availability.



Credits
1st photo — a few of the diggers working on the first context level (10cms) (© Theresa Driscoll 2009).
2nd photo — the test pit at the depth of 30cms showing an assortment of old building stones (© Theresa Driscoll 2009).
3rd photo — Flint tool (© Ken Taylor 2009).
Site Report — published in April 2010.
Text — Ken Taylor (updated 25.04.10)