
In November
2002 some metal detection work was carried out. There was little time to
prepare but members of the York District Metal
Detectorists Club was able to find a few qualified volunteers.
The topsoil was removed in certain locations to improve the chance of
finding any material buried during the battle. The approximate area surveyed
was 150 sq metres. Based on the subsequent work this might have yielded one
and a half finds! (.01 find per sq m)
What the work revealed was that this area has been periodically flushed.
There is much evidence that material has been tipped into this area possibly
to protect the banks from erosion.
There is an underlying peat layer that has not been properly surveyed
because it would be difficult to excavate because of the liquid sand. This
has been dated as 'post-Roman' from pottery finds so might well be
contemporary with the battle. Further work on this layer was promised in the
report submitted by the developers who want to build a road over this area.