DID you know there is a deserted Medieval village beneath the ground near Darlington? 

Do you want to have a go at uncovering some historic finds? 

Well now's your chance as a team from The Archaeological Practice are currently excavating at Archdeacon Newton, just off the A1(M). 

The excavation site is ‘Village Field’ on the east and north-east side of the present settlement.

The site comprises a moated site and deserted manorial settlement where the surviving earthworks include a series of E-W aligned toft compartments and a triangular platform standing around 2m high, suggested as the site of a medieval chapel.

The organisers said the excavation will help uncover the sites history, foundation, growth and reasons for desertion.

They added: "This dig is one of a series being delivered by The Archaeological Practice to revitalise the history, heritage, and landscape along the River Skerne.
"It’s being made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Durham County Council’s Archaeology Section, and Durham Wildlife Trust."

During this dig you will learn about:

Excavation - how to excavate, identify different archaeological layers, and investigate features like pits, walls, and burials. You’ll get to dig alongside archaeologists, helping us to unearth the remains of a deserted medieval village.

Recording - once you’ve made an archaeological discovery, you need to record it! You’ll learn to take photos, draw archaeological plans (maps), and pick out the details that give archaeologists the biggest clues about how old things are, where they came from, and what they mean.

Identifying finds - archaeology isn’t just about digging! You can also help the team to clean, sort, and identify the archaeological evidence, like pottery, bone, and other items, and piece them together to find out what they can tell us about the people who lived in the town.

What dates are available?

The excavation will take place on:

Monday – Friday 10am – 4:30pm 

21 – 25 June

28 June – 2 July

5 – 9 July

Location: Garthorne Farm, Archdeacon Newton, Darlington, DL2 2YB