Is Beckery the earliest British monastery?
A series of seven radiocarbon dates from the monastic cemetery at Beckery near Glastonbury are possibly the earliest archaeological evidence for monasticism in the British Isles. They suggest that the […]
Author Archives: richardbrunningswht
How to disguise a wall
On one side of the Roman building a traditional Roman deception has been carried out. The wet lime render has been scored to make it resemble a face of finely […]
Once more to the breach!
Once more to the breach dear friends, once more. For to close up the wall with our English daub. In November there’s nothing so becomes a person as modest shivering […]
Doorway to the past
After much experimentation Steve and Marc perfect their method of easily removed pivoting doors, with no need for hinges. Well worth the wait. Meanwhile subsoil arrives for the daubing of […]
Gripping beasts
Decorative bargeboards are going up on the gable ends and above the doors of the Saxon longhall. Together with Mike’s beasts, they will add a fearsome touch and keep away […]
Harling not hurling
In the last few weeks we have been getting plastered on a regular basis. To make the cob walls of the Roman building more waterproof we have been adding several […]
The roof is on!
Hurrah! After putting on about 15,000 hand split oak shakes the roof of the Saxon hall has been completed. A traditional Saxon celebration of roast pork, mead, carrot cake and […]
Through a glass darkly
Hurrah! The windows are in the Roman building (well done Terry and Rod) and the shingles are on the smoke hood roof. The cob walls are being smoothed off. There […]
Summer frenzy
Despite the oppressive heat of our British summer (last Tuesday if you missed it) work continued on site fuelled by steely determination, a can-do attitude, doughnuts and ice creams (thank […]
Firing up!
A Roman hypocaust has been lit in Somerset for the first time in 1,550 years (give or take a few). The underfloor heating system was fired up a few days […]
Avalon Archaeology 'Hands on Heritage' 