Our first outdoor session this year was organised for us by the County Archaeologist Bob Croft.  We met Bob at the Somerset Heritage Centre where he gave us a short introductory talk about the hillfort at Norton Fitzwarren which is not far from the Heritage Centre.

We then walked to the hillfort and Bob gave us a guided tour around the monument, explaining its history and the way it had been used as a defensive site and meeting point by people in the Bronze Age and Iron Age.

Bob had arranged permission for us to dig three test pits near the footpath to the site just outside the scheduled area.  This was a fantastic opportunity for our members to take part in a small excavation so close to a significant prehistoric monument.  Richard Brunning from the South West Heritage Trust joined us to help with the excavations.

The digging was hard going but our MAYANS were all very keen and got stuck in.  Most of the finds were post-Medieval, Victorian and modern artefacts such as pottery, building material and plastic!  However several chert flakes were also recovered which will be examined post-excavation to see if they might be worked.

We are really grateful to Bob for organising this for us.  A big thank you to Bob, Richard and everyone else to helped to make this such a great day for our members.