EXPERTS braved sub-zero temperatures to unravel more historical mysteries at an archaeological dig in Pinchbeck. Volunteers joined Allen Archaeology to revisit Healey’s Field - which was the site of a large scale project in the summer to get to the bottom of a massive hoard of artefacts that date back to the medieval period.
The dig, which was sparked by Pode Hole businessman John Lyon, unearthed more evidence of the original use of the site - with more of a stone wall and a pit and kiln the focus of attention.
The finds so far are largely post 16th century in origin - but Allen Archaeology project director Kevin Trott said that he believes medieval remains will lie a foot to two feet below the surface - buried under soil and sediment from flooding.
That would be the next step for 2011 but, with temperatures set to plummet once again, the site has been covered over to protect the limestone and brickwork from the elements.
Mr Trott said: “There are still questions that we want to answer. We know there is a medieval structure somewhere there.
“We had a two week window - it was very cold but we had to get on with it.
“The next phase now will be to analyse what we have excavated so the work will continue, there’s a lot to do behind the scenes.”
The remains of the pit could point to it being where the waste was dumped from a large kitchen. This would add to the belief that the site is close to the home of a former moated manor - possibly even that of Earl Humphrey de Boun.
The oven found could have been for bread or milling while stone walls could have formed part of a small
Experts believe that they are working on land very close to the manor - which is thought to have once resembled Gainsborough Hall in the north of the county,
More than 5,000 artefacts have been taken to Lincoln by Allen Archaeology for analysis.
Mr Lyon said: “This is a major, major discovery. We have got the initial part of it but there must be a manor on there somewhere. What’s come out of this has got Ivan (field owner) and me excited.”
Mr Lyon has applied for grant funding to continue the excavation and hopes to invite the archaeologists to South Holland to do talks about the project.
Source: Spalding Today [December 15, 2010]