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We Dig the Castle 2017

17 July - 18 August
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Welcome to the
2017 We Dig the Castle dig diary

In 2017 we were joined each day on site by 13 trainees, plus an Explainer volunteer from Nottingham City Museums and Galleries. ​Trained and supported by archaeologists from Trent & Peak Archaeology, they excavated and recorded this part of the Outer Bailey, located between the outer curtain wall and the present-day bandstand. Trainees carried out the entire excavation and also participated in skills workshops and tutorials.​

Other events at We Dig the Castle 2017 included  a free family day on 23 July (part of the Council for British Archaeology's national Festival of Archaeology) and a visit from the Nottingham Young Archaeologists' Club. We were also excited to be part of the Dig it! with YAC competition 2017 - in which three young archaeologists won a day with us at the dig.

​We also offered archaeology tours of the Castle site, while members of the team visited groups and societies to tell them about the dig and its findings.  

Many of the entries and photos on this page were created by our Explainer volunteers, who were part of the team on site, sharing their passion for the history of Nottingham Castle with trainees and visitors.

Tuesday 15 August (day 23): we're racing through week 5

15/8/2017

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More from Alison
​

It’s been a beautiful sunny day at Nottingham Castle for trainees, Explainer volunteer Cara and tutors Laura, Tristan, Joe and Jen.

It was good to welcome more new trainees today and we’ve had lots of interested visitors. In fact,  Cara (helped out by Alison) was kept busy for almost all of the day, nipping out in the afternoon only to join in with the pottery workshop.

Today’s trainees began with the features in the west of the trench and there was excavation, cleaning, recording and drawing to work through. Trainee Beth was also a real asset, using her new expertise to help the newer trainees with taking levels.

Later in the day our newer trainees moved to the eastern extension of the trench, where they continued to take down the soil level and clean the newly exposed stone and rubble, keeping an eye out for changes in soil colour that might indicate a construction ditch. For those needing a stretch and a break from digging there was spoil to sieve, finds to wash, and a hands-on tutorial in contexts and context sheet recording with Tristan.

Other highlights of the day included a pottery identification workshop with Laura and a tour of Mortimer’s Hole with legendary guide Richard. In addition, the excellent ice cream van was spotted near the bastion-cum-We Dig the Castle tea room, which meant a very happy We Dig the Castle team.

​Alison

Catch trainee and Explainer volunteer Cara tell us what she's gained from being part of We Dig the Castle 2017:
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    We Dig the Castle is Nottingham Castle's annual training excavation. 2017 is our third year of excavating.

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  • 2018
  • About
    • Talks
  • News
    • Dig diary >
      • Extras
  • Castle
  • Trainees
  • Public