Hunting Hall Farm

Hunting Hall Farm lies about one mile north east of Lowick. The only superficial sign of prehistoric occupation is a double ring ditch alongside the River Low. Within the area bounded by the ditches it is possible, at certain times of year, to discern roughly circular patches of vegetation, growing differently to the rest of the grasses and roughly the diameter of Iron Age roundhouses, that is about seven or eight metres. Sufficient evidence to whet the appetite of our local amateur archaeology subgroup. A couple of early digs weren't very successful but with the striking exception of finding a Bronze Age axehead close to the farm. This led to a full geophysical survey of the area within and around the ring ditches conducted by volunteers trained by the Bernician Studies Group with quite staggering conclusions. The following sectionsgo on to tell more of the story of our excavations at the farm between 2019 and 2023

2019 Dig

• Geophysical Survey: 2018-With the help of the charity Bernician Studies Group a small number of our group were trained to use the surveying technology and over a period of two weeks succeeded in mapping the whole of the area of interest.

• Dig Diary June and July 2019- At the end of each session the events of of the day were recorded in a dig diary. We were fortunate to have several visitors join us together with other professional archaeologists interested in our progress. Read the diary here

• Dig June, July 2019-Using the results of the geophysical survey our amateur group, under the guidance of professional archaeologist, Kristian Pedersen of Edinburgh University, opened two trenches over what were perceived as areas likely to be of major interest. Here is the summary report.

• Dig 2019: Summary of results: On this page you will find a compilation of photos, maps and drawings that outline the outcome of our dig in 2019

• Visitor information- Other than the obvious prehistoric ring ditches there is little to see at the dig site because the ground has been rapidly reclaimed by nature. An information board has been placed to give visitors a brief insight into life as it was more than 2000 years ago. This link provides further information.

• Archaeologist's report on the 2019 dig- The first scientific report by Kristian Pedersen of Edinburgh University documenting the outcome of the most recent dig and the scope for further research.

2021 Dig

• 2021 Dig

  This year we focussed our attention on more of the unusual features shown in the outcome of the geophysical survey of 2018. In particular we were interested in a mysterious 15m circular feature and a linear feature that was very apparent in trench 4 of the 2019 dig. Trench 5 was opened, an area of rough grassland that joined trenches 3 and 4.

  
  

  • Dig Diary September and October 2021 - We returned to Hunting Hall for another very successful couple of months and once again we documented the important events and discoveries of each day. You can read the diary here

  • Dig 2021 - Summary Report - a compilation of photographs and principal interpretation of the dig

  • Podcast 2021 - Listen to the podcast produced by Kevin Archer in which he speaks with professional archaeologist together with a number of volunteers

  
  

2022 Dig

This year we opened trench 6. This was an L shaped trench in a new area a few metres to the south of our earlier excavations. Its position was decided once again using the geophysical survey outcome from 2018. The area was selected to cover as many of the distinctive features as possible whilst minimising the amount of turf to be removed. Our decision was well rewarded!

• Dig Diary May and June 2022 - We returned to Hunting Hall for another very successful couple of months and once again we documented the important events and discoveries of each day. You can read the diary here

• Preliminary interpretation and review 2022 - A brief summary provided by our professional archaeologist, Kristian Pedersen following the excavation phase of this year's event. We hope that soil analysis will provide further evidence.

2023 Dig

This year we opened trench 6. This was an L shaped trench in a new area a few metres to the south of our earlier excavations. Its position was decided once again using the geophysical survey outcome from 2018. The area was selected to cover as many of the distinctive features as possible whilst minimising the amount of turf to be removed. Our decision was well rewarded!

• Dig Diary May and June 2022 - We returned to Hunting Hall for another very successful couple of months and once again we documented the important events and discoveries of each day. You can read the diary here

• Preliminary interpretation and review 2022 - A brief summary provided by our professional archaeologist, Kristian Pedersen following the excavation phase of this year's event. We hope that soil analysis will provide further evidence.