25 Jul 2024
The community excavation at Weald County Park, an Essex Country Park, has made an exciting and rather surprising start.
The aim of the excavation was to give the volunteers a chance to try out being an archaeologist for a week, whilst searching for the lost Weald Hall. Weald Hall was a Tudor mansion, that was added to over the centuries, including a Georgian remodelling by Robert Adam, it was badly damaged by fire during World War II with the ruins demolished in 1953 when Weald Park became a Country Park.
The excavation started on Monday, 22nd July and has already made some unexpected discoveries. Where we were expecting the stable-block to be, the volunteers have uncovered a sunken stone-lined bath, complete with in-built steps and seat, and a toothbrush.
This excavation is funded by the Lower Thames Community Fund, facilitated by Place Services, Essex County Council and supervised by Oxford Archaeology.
To find out more about Weald County Park click here
To download the heritage walking trail for Weald Country Park click here
#FestivalofArchaeology #britisharchaeology #wealdcountrypark #essexcountyparks #exploreessex #archaeology #dig #community #communitydig #essex
Excavation of a sunken bath
Unearthing a toothbrush at the dig
Volunteers at the Community Dig in Weald County Park