LISS ARCHAEOLOGY
Community archaeology in
Hampshire, UK
LISS ARCHAEOLOGY
Community archaeology in
Hampshire, UK
DIARY OF EVENTS
Activities for 2023
Please note that, unless otherwise stated, all events are for members of Liss Archaeology only for liability insurance reasons.
For membership information, further information, queries from college and university students seeking practical experience, or to volunteer to help with events, please contact us by email at lissarchaeology@gmail.com
Annual General Meeting - Thursday 23 March 2023
This event was well attended - thankyou to all members who took the trouble to attend and support the raffle.
Our Committee was re-elected with no changes and the Chairman's report highlighted the growing membership of our group, the joint ventures with other groups including the National Trust's HART volunteers, and the success in fundraising us to purchase new equipment such as out Bartington GRAD-601 magnetometer.
Our sincere thanks too to Lesley for her interesting talk afterwards about the castle at Rowland's Castle.
Colemore Spring Dig - 27 April to 31 May 2023
We have been exploring this fascinating site in a remote field in Hampshire for over a decade now, usually in two sessions a year. Using a combination of geophysics scans and excavation we have uncovered evidence of Iron Age and Romano-British structures and settlement, with some evidence of industrial activity too. The finds have included unusual glassware and pottery.
This year's Spring Dig will be from 27 Apr - 31 May (including setup and take-down days). Members will be able to have training and take part in geophysics, excavation and finds processing. We also need some volunteers to help with school visits which are currently being booked.
Days off will be Wednesdays during the dig. A contribution of £8 per day is required.
Summer Dig - Petersfield Big Dig - 14 to 31 July 2023
During the annual British Festival of Archaeology we will be carrying out a new exploration on an exciting site in Petersfield, on land owned by the Town Council. Although the dig will be undertaken by members, we hope that local residents including children will be able to participate to some extent and watch our progress. More information on the specific location will be provided soon and we expect we will be asking members to help with preliminary geophysics surveys (magnetometry and resistivity), probably during April.
Days off during the dig will be Wednesdays.
Autumn Dig - 25 August to 26 Sept 2023
This year we excavated for the first time in a field on a farm a few miles from Petersfield where our geophysics scans during lockdown had discovered a large rectangular buried structure. This turned out to be Romano-British. We are keen to explore further at this location but access is dependent on when the grass crop is mown and this is of course subject to the weather.
We will therefore make a decision nearer the time as to whether the autumn dig will be here or, if that is not possible, at our Colemore site.
Geophysics surveys, throughout the year
The Fieldwork Committee has a list of potential sites that we have been asked to scan, using our non-destructive geophysics techniques - resistivity and magnetometry. These events often have to be arranged at short notice, depending on the landowners, weather forecasts and the condition of the ground being surveyed.
During January-March we have been working on a joint project with the National Trust and other volunteer groups to do magnetometry surveys on two large sites on National Trust land.
Potential future sites this year include locations in Liss, Petersfield, Stroud and the Meon Valley. Requests for volunteers will normally be emailed to all members. Previous experience is desirable but not essential and training will be given. Do email us to let us know if you would like to be involved. There is no charge for such activities.