THE 'BURH TO BOROUGH' PROJECT

Visit the Project's 2009 website by clicking here

Many of Wallingford’s early secrets lie hidden beneath the town and the ‘Wallingford Burh to Borough Project’ is hoping to uncover some of them.

The pilot phase of this exciting project ran from 2002-05 but it was then awarded funding for a three-year extension so that the archaeological and historical roots of our town can be researched in great detail. The work is being led by a team from the universities of Leicester, Exeter and Oxford, in partnership with the Town Council, SODC, The Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society (TWHAS), and Wallingford Museum. By analysing the rich archaeological and documentary data for Wallingford for the period from 600AD to 1250, the Project has scope to discover fresh and vital evidence: firstly, about the origins of the Saxon burh – why it developed where it is, its layout and its defences; secondly, the impact of the Norman Conquest - the building of the castle and the remodelling of the town; and thirdly the medieval development of the borough.

The pilot project included geophysics and topographic surveys in all key areas of the town, charting and seeking to interpret buried and remnant archaeology and to assess potential for more detailed analysis. The present phase of study involves fuller geophysical assessment, systematic analysis and mapping of the town and castle defences, field walking, targeted excavation, analysis of church buildings, landscape survey, and archive collation and re-interpretation.

The documentary research is already well under way through the work of the TWHAS Research Group which is actively assisting the project. TWHAS organised a highly successful one-day conference in May 2008 on The Origins of Wallingford: a Reassessment and the papers given that day will be published towards the end of this year by Archaeopress in their British Archaeological Reports series.

There will be a variety of opportunities for community participation in the Burh to Borough Project, such as open days, talks, excavation training, garden archaeology, and finds recognition. Field seasons will comprise a week-long block each April and a three-week summer block. All this activity is being co-ordinated by the full-time Project Officer - Dr Matt Edgeworth – and is supported by students from the universities and members of TWHAS. Wallingford Museum is displaying the Project’s findings as work progresses. In April 2008 the geophysics undertaken by the Project team and members of TWHAS (see photo - Matt is the one with the apparatus!), revealed some interesting results. Major excavations in July/August investigated potential features on the Kinecroft, Bullcroft and Castle. See what was discovered in 2008 by clicking here

Earlier this year a TWHAS geophysics team, led by Gerard Latham, undertook a major survey of the inner bailey of the castle - with spectacular results! This has led to the choice of this year's Castle Site trench - the first time ever that the inner bailey has been explored archaeologically. Other geophysics work has revealed a possible early road alignment on the Wallingford School Site - this too dictated the position of a 2009 trench. On the Kinecroft a new trench, nearer to the Saxon banks, continued examination of the medieval houses, street and yards traced in 2008, to tackle their origins and fate.

For a day-to-day diary of the 2009 excavations click here. A summary is also displayed in the Museum.

We have also excavated a number of test pits in our Garden Archaeology Project (Keyhole Digs) and more are planned - we hope to do 100. So if you want a chance to take part, why not join TWHAS now?

If you are interested to know more, please contact Judy Dewey (Tel 01491 651127 or e-mail: judy@piepowder.co.uk).

For information about the 2009 Conference - Medieval Wallingford: Debates in History, Archaeology & Architecture click here.