Over 30 members came along to Ashday Lea to Neil Coldrick’s presentation of The Tunstead Dig.

This archaeological dig, which was begun back in 2019 following the discovery on a Lidar map of a potential prehistoric site, was concluded by SPAG members in 2024.  An exploratory trench was dug in October 2019 which indicated that the site was worthy of further investigation.  However the pandemic put paid to our plans!

Undeterred, in September 2022 we obtained funding for a geophysics survey of the site and awaited the results with baited breath.  The survey revealed a number of interesting features which warranted further investigation and after a year of planning and fund-raising Neil Coldrick agreed to be our Dig Director.  This was great news as Neil has led digs in the Holcombe Moor area over many years and brought with him a great deal of expertise.

During 2024 we focussed on three sites in the two fields.  Trenches were dug and many artefacts were found including pottery, clay pipes, lumps of iron, a pottery bead and small fragments of bone and charcoal.  Some of these finds will be sent to an expert for dating.

The dig attracted new members to SPAG and was an amazing experience for all those involved.  For some it was their first archaeological dig.  Others brought their knowledge and skills learnt on previous digs. For us all it was a wonderful learning experience, an exciting venture and a great team effort.