Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 14

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 14

Day 14, and my last day on the dig site at Tintagel Castle - TCARP 2016.

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Trench Tristan #theta360 #theta360uk -

Today was a busy day at the dig site up on Tintagel Castle, as we wrapped up on the plotting, elevations, photographs, digging, and recording, at each of the four trenches. 

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Trench C #theta360 #theta360uk -

It was a flurry of tape measures, measuring sticks, planning boards and levels as everybody busied themselves on the Southern and Eastern Terrace.

 Time to capture those last few interviews and trench shots for the ‘Digging For Britain Dig Diaries’.

Interpreting the walls and stones in Trench Mark (D), as the waves, barely visible for most of the day, crash on the coastline below.

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Trench Mark #theta360 #theta360uk -

The Crew of Trench Mark – well minus a few guest appearances now and then.

Backfilling the trenches on the Eastern Terrace.

As the day came to a close, it was time to say goodbye to Tintagel for 2016... Till Next Time...

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 13

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 13

Day 13. 13 is unlucky for some. Today it certainly was for us at the dig site on Tintagel. Heavy wind and rain swept across Cornwall, replacing yesterdays blistering hot sunshine and blue sky with an ongoing downpour...  But we do love to moan about the weather, it’s a national hobby after all.

Keeping anything dry proved a little tricky today, with much drying of cameras between filming, whilst records, elevations and remaining trench finds were being gathered.  

Rather than filling the trenches with stone when we backfill, larger excavated stone and rocks are being stacked into the form of a wall. Only the looser earth will be put back, as next summer we hope to be lifting it all back out again as part of the ongoing investigation. 2016’s trenches are only exploratory to evaluate what is hidden beneath the surface.

On the Eastern Terrace, Richard talks me though the base layer of Trench Tristan for the cameras.

Wet Sieving continues. Martin watches his samples proudly, as they are blown dry under the cover of the gazebo, set up down beside the haven.

What’s that coming through the fog... oh it's more rain! 

Benj explains the perils of trying to plot out his trench drawings in the pelting rain, as he slowly watches his work washing off the pages. The trenches however are looking nice and clean now!

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 12

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 12

Day 12 at Tintagel Castle Archaeology Dig- A fantastically sunny day greeted our arrival at the site. First up today, capture wide shots of the island with Alex from 360 Productions, for Digging for Britain (BBC Archaeology Show). The views from the ‘outer ward’ on the mainland side of the site have fantastic vistas overlooking the bay and haven, with the island/headland of Tintagel Castle.

It’s easy to imagine why this naturally defensive site would’ve been appealing in the past, as a safe place to settle, an impressive site to occupy or as a place to command amazing views with high status living. 

Climbing up to the island castle, it was time to meet up with the operator chap doing the camera drone filming and flying. The views captured of the castle ruins and trenches on the Southern and Eastern terrace provide a perspective only enjoyed by the birds, or those who venture near the cliff edges, or Merlin!

Soon back in the trenches, important discussions continue! Who does have the better archaeology dig hat?!

Jacky takes a closer and inquisitive look as the finds continue to emerge from Trench D (Mark). Many exciting ‘things’ have emerged from the soil, and are slowly and carefully being studied for later reveal.

 

Carl, always busy processing and washing the many finds, from the four exploratory trenches. As a first look at what lies beneath the soil, in order to plan investigation in the future, the 2016 dig, so far, has been an adventure of a lifetime.....

 ....And a lot of carrying soil sample buckets (empty and full)!  Selfie Time!

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 11

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 11

Another exciting day investigating on Tintagel Headland. In addition to the ongoing archaeology, which is continuing to reveal fascinating layers of history, we were also joined today by some of the team who produce Digging For Britain - 360 Productions - for additional filming and a site visit.

Archaeologist, Benj, seems pleased with the fragments of pottery he is discovering in Trench C. Soon this will be carefully washed and recorded.

 Filming in the trench continues as everything being investigated is documented for the Dig Diaries.

The stunning view from the Southern Terrace never fails to impress, with the archaeology dig in Trench C and D continuing onwards and downwards.

Trench Cam!  I think I should have a ‘Go Pro’ attached to me full time!

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 10

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 10

Day 10 at Tintagel. Today the island was shrouded with fog and cloud as the day began. We gathered at the foot of the valley, collected the freshly charged filming camera and equipment, and then set off, recording our group climb to top of Tintagel Island and into the castle.

Today’s dig was productive as all trenches are finding a wonderful range of finds, keeping Carl, our expert, busy cleaning, examining, indentifying and recording each and every item. 

Down on the ‘main land’, Wet Sieving continues. The bucket sealed soil samples that we have been gathering (after sieving out the larger rocks, gravel and alike, from each trench context) have been wet sieved, floating out any remaining material from the muddy waters.

After collecting each sample in a fine mesh, they are then hung to dry. Later they will be analysed in the search for grains, seeds, insects or shell fragments.

The two trenches on the Southern Terrace with the sea sloshing about below the cliff.

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 9

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 9

A break away from the real trench today, to composite together the images for this 3D reconstruction of Trench D (Mark). Based on 200+ digital photographs, captured yesterday after the press and other diggers had left the site, this new 3D model reveals how much top soil has been removed since the last scan 2 days ago, as well as an exciting new extension to the trench.

Tintagel Castle – Archaeological Dig – Trench D by Matt Bear Clark on Sketchfab

Class B5 Amphorae Handle - Pottery Fragment - Tintagel Castle - Archaeology Field Scan

Class B4 Amphorae Handle - Tintagel Castle by Matt Bear Clark on Sketchfab

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 8

Tintagel Castle - Archaeological Dig - Day 8

It’s press day at Tintagel Castle Archaeological Dig. TV crews ascend the island, cameras and presenters at the ready, to interview and capture footage showing the ongoing dig, for BBC and ITV news.

Filming Dig Diaries for ‘Digging For Britain’ continues... filming the filming... Trying to capture the daily events, which included the start of the Wet Sieving today.

Jacky is interviewed in Trench C, taking a closer look at some of the pottery and glass finds which have been unearthed.

Filming views over the Southern Terrace, with Trench C and D (Geraint and Mark). The position, just below the high cliffs, provide the opportunity to get views down into the trenches, which has also aided in evaluating the emerging floor surfaces and walls, in addition to the changes in the soils, and other surrounding earthworks.

Back in Trench D we start to unearth a new section, as an extension to the trench will seek to identify what we believe to be an external wall.