Community archaeological dig to explore more of Tamworth’s history

Tuesday, 7 March 2023 17:30

Second archaeological dig begins at Holloway on 18 March for 5 days Public can watch and assist with progress at selected booked time slots The dig aims to further explore previous archaeological findings of original mill wall

Tamworth Borough Council is excited to confirm that following the success of a community archaeological dig last year, a new, larger dig will take place from 18 to 22 March.

Back in October 2022 the first community dig took place by Holloway Lodge in the Castle Grounds. A small area believed to be the site of a castle mill was explored. The test pit was successful, with many interesting items revealed, but more importantly the wall of the mill was uncovered. A community dig display is available to view from the shop window on Market Street (next to Nationwide Building Society), for people to check out some of the interesting facts and finds from the last dig.

This second dig will now expand on this to hopefully uncover more of the mill. You can pop down at any time on any day for free to observe progress, but public participation is limited to 18 March and 19 March and late afternoon on 20 March to 22 March.

Due to demand, participation times are limited to 20-minute sessions which must be pre-booked. Time slots are filling up fast so book online now via: www.tamworthcastle.co.uk/events or call the castle team on: 01827 709618.

School groups are invited to book visits between Monday 20 and Wednesday 22. Please book directly by calling the castle team.

The dig will be led again by archaeologist William Mitchell, lecturer in Archaeology at Staffordshire University. Students will also be joining the dig, conducting academic research in the area known to have housed historical mills potentially dating back to the Medieval period.

This project - ‘Revealing Castle Mill’, has received £9,450 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Councillor Rob Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “We had such a great response to our last dig by the public, it was very exciting to find some interesting items plus part of the mill wall.

“Potentially this could lead to a further exciting finds. If you would like to be involved book a slot quickly as spaces are filling up fast.”