Archaeology on our doorstep

Posted: 11/07/2017

An archaeological dig taking place just a mile or two away from The Old Vicarage has unearthed a regionally important Romano-British site.

Taking place at Hagg Farm near Fremington over a two-week period (July 5-19), the dig is supported by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority together with the Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeological Group. More than 25 volunteers have been helping each day and there is a real sense of community involvement.

Amongst the findings are several high-status artefacts, such as pottery imported from Gaul and a perfectly smooth stone cosmetic tablet. But what really sets the site apart is the quality and size of the flags, walls and door sills.

It is possible from the pottery evidence that there were significant trading links between this settlement and nearby Roman Catterick. The site has lain untouched since the fourth century and luckily has not been damaged by the later activity of other settlers.

It has long been suspected that the site was of great archaeological significance on account of the terrain but the only way to be certain was to undertake a large open area excavation, which has been possible thanks to a grant from the Sustainable Development Fund.