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After four seasons collecting metal from the area of the battle a selection has now gone to the conservators for detailed analysis. Some results
Sadly, access to the core of this site has been denied by landowners, acting under instruction from the developers. This cynical attempt to prevent the gathering of evidence is, sadly, sanctioned by the English planning process.
Over 1000 metal items have been x-rayed and examined. A second batch is waiting to be processed. After that, we hope to examine all the non-ferrous material.
For statistical purposes, some outlying areas have been surveyed. The density of unidentifiable ferrous material in the core area is several orders of magnitude higher. However, the significance of this difference in find density cannot be appreciated until more areas have been surveyed.
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This is the area we hope to survey. The read areas have been done. The green areas have yet to be visited. Access to most of these have been blocked by the developers. |
What have we discovered so far?
- We have hundreds of interesting looking fragments but the technology to prove that these are parts of weapons is very expensive and because they are scattered about, would prove little. However, we will keep these under review.
- The evidence of metal working calls for much more work. When we are allowed to do so, we hope to see if this represents the reprocessing of metal gathered on the battlefield. The results would have a profound effect on battlefield archaeology.
- The density of finds has yet to be plotted accurately but there are a number of 'hot spots'. These seem to relate to the shape of the land. Metal 'sinks' towards the dips. This might make it worth excavating some of the paleo channel identified around the site.
Attached to most pages is a chart of the number of finds for 03/04.
Investigating ferrous material
Evidence of smithing on the site
This graph shows the mass distribution in four areas. This is part of the ongoing work to see if analysis of the ferrous material across the area can yield any information.