A team of archaeologists from the University of Birmingham are set to share their work at the largest open area excavation to be undertaken at the medieval village of Longstanton, Cambridgeshire, with a public open day offering guided tours of the site.
Hosted by Birmingham Archaeology, part of the University’s Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity, the open day is taking place on Thursday 26 May at the site in Longstanton and will provide visitors with a glimpse of the past history of the local area.
A known area of archaeological potential, previous excavations undertaken by Birmingham Archaeology over the last ten years have demonstrated evidence of extensive archaeological remains belonging to several periods including: the Iron Age, Roman, Saxon and Medieval.
Research Associate and Project Manager of Birmingham Archaeology, Samantha Paul commented:
“The village has expanded rapidly over the last ten years and the various phases of housing development have provided us with an excellent opportunity to study this multi-phase archaeological landscape.”
This most recent dig has uncovered an Iron Age enclosure which will be on display during the day. The enclosure contains internal structures, rubbish pits and granaries from the Iron Age settlement where pottery, animal bone and worked stone have all been recovered. Archaeologists will be on site to explain how these findings inform us of how settlers lived, how they worked the land, their crops and their herds.
The University’s team of archaeologists will conclude their excavations at Longstanton, funded by Kier Homes, at the end of May, when all findings will be analysed by specialists and then published in a monograph.
The excavation site will be open to the public on Thursday 26 may with guided tours of the Iron Age enclosure available at 10.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm and 3.30pm only. For more information, please contact Community Outreach Manager of Birmingham Archaeology, Jo Adams via 0121 414 5513 or j.l.adams.1@bham.ac.uk.
• The Longstanton excavation site will be open to the public on Thursday 26 May. Guided tours will only be available at 10.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
• School parties can be accommodated by prior arrangement via 0121 414 5513.
• There will be no parking provided at the site for the open day.
For further media information, please contact Amy Cory, University of Birmingham Press Office via 0121 414 6029 or a.cory@bham.ac.uk.