Community excavation at Weald Country Park peers into past

Organised by Essex County Council’s Place Services, the free volunteer community excavation at Weald Country Park saw 24 amateur archaeologists aged 17 to 78-years-old take part in the dig on the site of the former Weald Hall.

Built in the 16^th century, Weald Hall was owned by the Tower family until World War Two when it became occupied by the military.

The hall was demolished in 1951 following a fire and in 1953 the park was purchased by Essex County Council as public open space.

Funded by the Lower Thames Crossing Heritage Community Fund the dig aimed to uncover the history of Weald Hall.

As part of the dig Oxford Cotswold Archaeology trained volunteers in excavation techniques as an introduction to archaeology as a career or hobby.

The volunteers - ranging from archaeology students to retirees - who took part in the week-long dig helped uncover the artefacts.

Maria Medlycott, Place Services Senior Historic Environment Officer, said: “While paintings and pictures can give you an idea of a building we wanted to explore Weald Hall’s foundations.

“The excavation has revealed more about the origins and development of Weald Hall, so we are delighted and surprised with the results. Where we expected to find part of the stable yard and laundry we found a stone-lined sunken bath of probable Georgian origins, complete with steps and a stone seat to sit on. Next to the bath an ivory or bone toothbrush was also recovered.”

Explore different corners of the park with the Weald Country Park Discovery Trail here.

Images courtesy of Essex Record Office, Essex County Council Place Services and Oxford Archaeology.