I was at a meeting with staff from the Big Dig on 1 September and they reported that they had accepted 1341 applications excavate test pits, but that to date they had only received 200 reports.
They are assuming that some 25% of the applicants did not excavate their test pits for one reason or another, but they are writing to all the participants to chase up the outstanding reports in the next week or two.
They believe that many people did not bother to submit a report because they didn't find anything, so their reminder letter will emphasise the importance of negative evidence.
There will be a further 50 minute TV programme over the Christmas period to look back on the Big Dig and review what was achieved. Some of the key archaeological stories to have emerged so far include:
* possible Celtic church at Moniave in Scotland
* previously unknown medieval floor in Thirlby in Yorkshire
* 2 clay-bonded walls in association with 13th century pottery in field previously thought to have been uninhabited
The programme will involve some new filming and they have been working with groups at the LAARC in London who have come in with their finds from the Big Dig.
There will be no repeat exercise in 2004, but the producers hope to do another mass participation event in the future, though not just a repeat of the Big Dig. They took on board the need for better and earlier liaison and communication for any future events.
Mike
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Dr Mike Heyworth, Deputy Director, Council for British Archaeology
Bowes Morrell House, 111 Walmgate, York YO1 9WA, UK
tel 01904 671417, fax 01904 671384, web www.britarch.ac.uk
* Join CBA/YAC & buy our books online at www.britarch.ac.uk/shop *
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-----Original Message-----
From: Carroll Quinton [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 08 September 2003 12:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Big Dig reports
Dear all
At the risk of reviving an old argument, how many of you have received
reports or archives from those who took part in the Time Team Big Dig in
June? So far I have had one report (from the 27 or so sites dug!).
thanks
Quinton
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Quinton Carroll
Principal Archaeologist (Sites & Monuments Record)
County Archaeology Office
Education, Libraries & Heritage
Cambridgeshire County Council
Tel: 01223 712335
Fax: 01223 362425
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/archaeology
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