delve into the past: season two

Possible Motte and Medieval Routeway at Foulis, Evanton
 

In July 2011 ARCH excavated at the possible motte at Foulis, Evanton. We will be returning to this site for another two week season of digging in 2012.

Ever wondered what happens on an archaeological excavation? This summer is your chance to find out! ARCH are running an excavation project ‘Delve into the Past’ investigating the existence of medieval archaeology at Foulis. The course will consist of four classes on preparation for excavation, looking at the sites and sources in detail including historical maps, aerial photographs and documentary sources.

This will be followed by a two week field season in July 2012 of excavation and associated survey work. Participants will be trained in a variety of excavation, survey and recording techniques while digging on site. All levels of experience welcome, from first-time diggers to seasoned excavators.

The main site we will be investigating is a possible motte site near Foulis Castle, Evanton. By opening a few trenches on this site we aim to find out more about the character and date of this mound. Trenches will also be opened over the possible location of an ancient routeway running through the site. We aim to determine exactly where this route runs and how it relates to the possible motte feature.

Low lying flat topped mound, possible motte at Foulis.
For more information on the dig and its aims and objectives go to the Library on our website and look for the research brief in the Foulis Excavation Documents Folder.
The field season in July will be followed in September 2012 by a post excavation course looking at how archaeologists deal with all the data produced by excavations. Sessions will include looking at the site records from our excavation, implementing post-excavation techniques, analysing and presenting any finds and presenting our initial interpretations through a display. Dates and times tbc.

For those interested in visiting the site while excavation is going on we plan to have an open day which will allow visitors to participate in a guided tour of the site. Visitors are welcome on other days that we are on site if you can't make the 16th.
 

Booking is essential!
The dates and times of the pre-ex course and field season will be available to book via our Events calendar sometime in 2012 so keep an eye out for the dates being publicised.

Ideally we would like people to book for a minimum of 3 days. We encourage people of all ages and levels of digging experience to come and take part. Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. We also provide childcare for those who want to come and dig who have younger children.

Please email Cathy at info@archhighland.org.uk or phone 01349 868 230 for more information on the project or to book. Details and dates will be confirmed in 2012.