Animal bones and pottery fragments found in dig

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have continued their investigation into the history of Greys Court with an excavation to mark the nationwide Festival of Archaeology.

The nine-day dig wrapped up on Sunday, having attracted hundreds of visitors who were able to ask questions as well as examine and handle the newly-uncovered objects.

Led by National Trust archaeologist Adrian Cox, in partnership with volunteers from the South Oxford Archaeology Group, the excavation focused on investigating a lost inter-court range that formerly linked the buildings on the east and west sides of the property’s courtyard.

Evidence from aerial photographs, seasonal parch-marks on the oval lawn and the results of a geophysical survey was used to determine where to excavate.

The team hoped to build on knowledge gained from previous excavations at the site to build up a picture of the medieval and post-medieval development of the manor and its courtyard.

A complex series of wall foundations, drains and other structures were revealed, which shed light on the nature and dating of the inter-court buildings thought to have been demolished during the 17th century.

Buried for more than 300 years, objects including roof and floor tiles, fragments of pottery, animal bone and glass, including fragments which indicated the windows had been glazed, were uncovered.

Visitors were invited to view the dig up close, meet the archaeologists and ask questions and handle and wash the excavated items.

Mr Cox said the hands-on aspect to the excavation had been “an absolute hive of activity”. He said: “It has been really busy with children washing the items, and students on archaeology courses dropping in. Everyone from, the age of three to 93.”

Throughout the event, the National Trust site welcomed everyone from families with young children, to vulnerable adults and members of the Alzheimer’s Society to explore the items up close.

Ensuring the event was “inclusive of absolutely everybody” was important to Mr Cox, who was keen to share the team’s discoveries with as many visitors as possible.

This included making adaptions for some groups, including bringing the excavated items out to wheelchair-users unable to access the building in which they were housed.

The excavation attracted more than 200 additional visitors during the dig. Mr Cox said: “We would like to thank everyone who visited Greys Court during the dig, for their interest and enthusiasm. It was good to see so many families, regular visitors and people who had never seen archaeology up-close before, enjoying themselves.

“We took care to make sure the findings were accessible to visitors with particular needs and it was great to be able to share the experience of excavating with so many people.”

Running from July 19 to August 3, the Festival of Archaeology aims to offer the public opportunities to participate in archaeology, explore stories of place and connect with the environment around them.

Greys Court dates back to the Domesday Book. It has a 900-year history which the trust describes as a “patchwork” of medieval, Tudor, Georgian, Victorian and 20th century influences inside and out.