Steve Brine was delighted to help in an archaeological dig in the centre of Winchester.
After much preparation, the Hyde900 2020 Community Dig took place over four days on the site of Hyde Abbey and Winchester MP Steve Brine was determined to muck in.
Along with his son, William, they found a 900 year-old oyster shell – one of a collection of shells discovered from what must have been the remains of the abbey kitchens.
Steve said: “Well done the volunteers of Winchester’s Hyde900 for organising another Community Dig today. A huge amount of work given the Covid-safe requirement and the elements.”
This year the dig sites were in four separate gardens, making this the largest and most ambitious dig by the group. The project was run with the help of members of Hyde900, local experts and WARG, a Winchester archaeology and history group.
Hundreds of hours of planning were put in by a dedicated team to ensure the event met all government guidelines to provide as safe an environment as possible for those taking part.
Dig organiser David Spurling said: “The level of enthusiasm of those participating – over 200 in total – was extraordinary, especially given the amount of wind and water thrown at them as they dug.”
As well as fragments of stone, columns and an abacus from the Abbey, this year Hyde 900 members were delighted to discover part of a Neolithic flint, a Roman pot and pieces of Medieval encaustic tiles with a pattern not hitherto seen.
Pictured; Steve and William join the team on site during the downpour.
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