Downley Common Archaeology Project

I am a volunteer team member with Chiltern Archaeology. Through 2005 - 2006 we were involved in the Downley Archaeology Project in which we surveyed Downley Common near High Wycombe for traces human activity from the end of the Ice Age to the 17th century. I got to do some geophysics surveying using resistivity meter, excavating, and I produced much of the photography for the official project website and subsequent book.

You can read more about the Downley project going to the Local Heritage Initiative website and typing 'downley' into the search box.

Romans in the Hambleden Valley

Our current project with Chiltern Archaeology is Romans in the Hambleden Valley, an investigation of Romano British villa sites in the Hambleden valley which will be running throughout 2008 - 2010.

The Hambleden valley today is a peaceful slice of typical Chilterns landscape : rolling chalk hills accomodate alternating patches of beech woodland and green pastures. A sparkling clear chalk stream runs from north to south draining the valley's rainfall into the river Thames near Hambleden Mill. Ancient rustic villages complete the attractive scene, making the area popular with film makers - 101 Dalmations, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the gothic horror movie Sleepy Hollow all used Hambleden locations for filming.

Back in the 4th century the valley was home to two large Romano British villas in close proximity. The Yewden villa was extensively excavated in 1912 and amongst the many finds, were the skeletal remains of 97 infants, which begs the question of what was going on at this villa. The other villa at Mill End was half a mile away on the banks of the Thames and has never been excavated, although its outline can be identified from the air when conditions are right.

The current investigation aims to build on the knowledge gained during the 1912 excavation, using geophysics to survey a much wider area around the Yewden villa, an in-depth analysis of finds and a DNA analysis of the infant bones.

The project has been in the news recently, see this BBC News feature for a write up of the headline findings.

The project will be featured on the TV series Digging for Britain to be broadcast on BBC2 in August 2010 fronted by Alice Roberts.

Some of my photos of the project fieldwork can be seen in slideshow form here.

Photos of the Hambleden valley are available here.

Geophysics in Horse Leys field

curious onlookers