Day 14: Well there’s us Stumped!

The trough after removal of the timbers, showing the roots running under and around it

An unbelievably hot day again today, and some interesting developments from the mound. After yesterdays speculations about the roots and tree stump, today has confirmed that the mound is sitting on a tree stump and using some of the roots as part of the trough side. Could it be a special tree? There is also some fantastic preservation of the Birch Bark of the tree under the mound.

Birch Bark from the tree under the mound

Today has also been a day of prolific sampling and recording, making sure everything is up to date before the final few days on the dig, and ensuring we have all the data, and environmental sampling we need to take away and analyse after excavation has ceased.

Jon taking samples from the section

At the top site, the ditch trenches are almost fully excavated, though have not yet provided any evidence for its date or function. However, that of itself is still interesting, as we anticipated them being post medieval ditches relating to the parl, and full of post medieval material. Whilst this still may be the case, it has provided food for thought about what else they may be, perhaps Sizergh is holding some more secrets?

The stone platform

When is a building not a building? When it is excavated at Sizergh of course. The presumed building platform is, like its ditch neighbour, evading dating and diagnosis, and though we have found iron nails in it, there is little else. It also appears to be more of a stone platform or plinth, rather than stone wall footings. Hopefully, the weekend will provide us with some further clues, but with archaeology, you never really know!

On Saturday and Sunday, the children’s activities will again open up, with a mini-dig, and a bronze age pottery techniques workshop, and the Hall and Gardens are open to visitors on Sunday as usual, so why not pop down and see for yourselves and join in the fun!

Adam Parsons