‘SUMMER 2007 DIG' Starting in the week beginning 23rd July 2007, the NCAG, under the direction of Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews (NHDC Archaeology Officer) will be conducting a ‘training dig' in Church Field. The ‘dig' will last for a period of 6 weeks ; one week preparation of the site, four weeks excavation and one week final recording and reparation. ‘Finds Processing' will be conducted simultaneously and is likely to still be under way after the ‘dig' has completed. The Aims and Objectives of the dig are to : ·discover if evidence of the structures demolished in the 1930s still exists ·discover if any structures pre-existed the 1930s structures ·try to identify if this sheds light on why the buildings in Church Field were abandoned ·develop a pool of experienced excavators for ‘digs' in subsequent years on more sensitive sites around Norton. ·Involve as many of the Norton residents and school-children as possible in practical archaeology and, hopefully, encourage a healthy interest in Norton's past. ·Eventually publish the results of our investigations in both a popular and academic way. Involvement in the ‘Dig' is open to any members of the Norton Community Archaeology Group or the North Herts Archaeological Society The area to be excavated is known to have a barn of unknown date standing on it until the 1930s. Whether there were any preceding structures on the site is not known. The main archaeological objectives of the excavation are to uncover and record any remains of the barn and then to investigate further to see if there were multi phases of building on the site. The Project Director for the excavation is Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews (the NHDC Archaeology Officer).In addition, the North Herts Archaeological Society will be assisting us on the dig by helping to train anyone who has not done it before in the correct techniques. The 'dig' dates are: Week beginning 23rd July - Site preparation. Knowledge of surveying would be useful but not essential. Week beginning 30th July Dig Week 1 Week beginning 6th August Dig Week 2 Week beginning 13th August Dig Week 3 Week beginning 20th August Dig Week 4 Week beginning 27th August Finalise Site Recording and Closure. Work will be from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive for each week. ie no work on Mondays or Tuesdays. Finds Processing will take place on site alongside the dig. Mick James is co-ordinating the workforce on behalf of Keith and needs to guage the level of interest quickly. Therefore if you are interested please let him know : a) whether you are interested in excavating, recording or finds processing. b) what level of experience you have c) when you would be available within the timeframe. He needs commitments here as he will have to pair up people with differing levels of skills. It is not an extensive excavation. Therefore, we cannot promise that everyone 's wishes will be able to be accomodated. In the end the Project Director's decisions on how many people can be involved at any one time will dictate numbers. We would encourage you to let Mick know your wishes speedily. Over to you!! mickcommunications@hotmail.co.uk > >Please respond to me, Mick James on mickcommunications@hotmail.co.uk
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