Roman pottery among treasures found by 'Big Dig' project

A community excavation in a Herefordshire town has uncovered finds from every century back to the 1100s, as well as a fragment of Roman pottery.

More than 100 volunteers were involved in the project, taking guidance from three professional archaeologists.

Bob and Kate Best discovered the oldest find: a small terracotta fragment identified as a piece of Roman pottery from between 80AD and 350AD. This reinforces the signs of Roman occupation in the area.

Young people from the local high school took part in their own dig and found a fragment of medieval earthenware which was probably made around the time of the black death.

John and Jenny Shutler explored the history of Chamberwell Cottage on the south-west edge of the village and found evidence of an early structure which could have been the location of a sheepskin hide cleaning shed.

Michelle and Craig Ward also spent 40 hours excavating and sifting through artefacts, which included a huge collection of cream and coloured ceramics, ironware and glassware including an intact medicine bottle. They also discovered an ash layer and solid floor in the pit behind Bell Square that could be signs of a known bakery fire.

Bellringer Alan Jones (R) in his test pit near the brook that runs through the garden of Glebe House with excavators (L-R) museum co-curator Carole Page, parish council chair Lorraine Anderson and Tim Amos (Image: Weobley & District Local History Society)

Professional archaeologist Peter Reavill has been analysing the finds, which are grouped by position and depth in the Hopelands village hall.

Maggie Waldman, chair of Weobley’s local history society, said: “The sheer number of people involved, the level of enjoyment and the real interest shown exceeded all expectations.”

The project was made possible by a £10,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery.