Between the Barrows: In Search of the Ditch
Welcome to the Between the Barrows Excavation Diary, where we'll be sharing regular updates from our 10th annual Community Archaeology Dig.
Each summer, volunteers work alongside professional archaeologists to investigate the archaeology hidden within this remarkable prehistoric landscape. From the first cut of the mattock to the discovery of ancient artefacts, every week brings new insights into the people who lived here thousands of years ago.
This blog follows the progress of the excavation as it unfolds, highlighting the discoveries, archaeological techniques and community involvement that make the project so special. Whether you're taking part in the dig, following from afar, or simply interested in archaeology and local heritage, we invite you to join us as we uncover the stories buried Between the Barrows.
Excavation Diary: Week Two 22/06/26 - 28/06/26
Excavation continued throughout the second week of the 2026 Between the Barrows Community Archaeology Dig, despite exceptionally warm weather. To ensure the wellbeing of volunteers and staff, excavation sessions were shortened during periods of high temperatures, while work continued under the guidance of project archaeologists Chris, Dom and Alex.
The principal achievement of the week was the excavation of the ditch to its base, enabling the team to record its complete profile and examine the sequence of deposits within the feature. This work is providing important evidence for understanding both the construction of the monument and the processes that have affected it since its creation.
The most significant discovery to date was the recovery of an exceptionally well-preserved sherd of Deverel-Rimbury pottery from one of the ditch fills. This ceramic tradition, characteristic of the Middle Bronze Age in southern England (c. 1400–1200 BC), provides an important chronological indicator for this phase of the ditch's use.
Crucially, the context of the pottery supports the excavation team's working hypothesis that the ditch was re-cut after its initial construction. The emerging stratigraphic evidence suggests that the monument underwent at least one later episode of modification, adding another layer to the complex history of the site.
As excavation progresses, further recording and analysis will help refine our understanding of the ditch's development and the communities who created and reused this landscape more than three millennia ago. The discoveries made during the second week highlight the importance of careful excavation and the significant contribution made by our community volunteers in advancing archaeological knowledge.
Excavation Diary: Week One 13/06/26 - 21/06/26
The tenth annual Between the Barrows Community Archaeology Dig commenced this week, with excavation led by project archaeologists Chris, Dom and Alex.
The first phase of work focused on extending the excavation area to investigate the ditch more fully. Volunteers began by mattocking and de-turfing the extension, preparing the trench for excavation. Throughout the week, participants from two Community Dig Days, alongside an enthusiastic home-school group, worked together to carefully remove deposits and expose archaeological features.
By the end of the week, the excavation had successfully identified the opposite edge of the ditch, allowing the team to establish its full width within the trench. This represents an important milestone, providing the opportunity to investigate the ditch profile in greater detail during the coming weeks.
With the ditch now fully defined in plan, attention will turn to excavating its fills, recording its profile and recovering any artefacts or environmental evidence that may help establish its date, construction and subsequent use. As always, the project continues to demonstrate the valuable contribution that community volunteers make to archaeological research while providing opportunities for people of all ages to engage directly with their local heritage.
