We are delighted to be able to offer these sessions again, in collaboration with Oxford Archaeology's expert environmental archaeology team. We will be dealing with all the soil samples collected during the Minchery Farm excavations in a process called flotation. This involves sieving the soil through big sieves with lots of water and retrieving bones, seeds and shells and any other small bits of archaeological evidence.This evidence will be crucial to building up a picture of the diet of the people living in the Priory and what the landscape looked like.

 

It's a fascinating process and quite different to all the other post excavation activities! It is also not a part of archaeological work that you often have an opportunity to take part in - so now's your chance. Everyone who took part last time, working with the Bartlemas samples, had a great time. You will need wellies and a waterproof jacket (and waterproof trousers if possible). But if anyone wants to be involved and does not have any of the waterproof kit just let us know.

 

We are offering 10 possible days working from 9.30am to 3.30pm: 25 February - 1 March and 4 March - 8 March. Please let us know if you would like to come to one or more sessions and we will confirm places by Tuesday 19 February. Email jo@archeox.net or  jane@archeox.net or phone 01865 724153. You will need your lunch, but no experience at all is necessary, all training is given and you do not have to have worked at the excavation or indeed on any other activity to come along. Complete beginners and new volunteers most welcome. Sorry we can't offer weekend days but the equipment is not available then.

 

We look forward to hearing from you. Please email us if you have any questions!