The Hagg Community Archaeology Project with SWAAG

Hagg Farm, Fremington, Swaledale (North Yorkshire, UK).

Surveys and exploratory excavations by the Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group (SWAAG) over the past few years (beginning in 2009) at The Hagg have suggested the presence of roundhouses, walls, trackways and features associated with a possible settlement/farming complex.

Analysis of finds indicated that the site is Romano-British, abandoned towards the end of the 4th century AD. However there has as yet been no evidence indicating when the site was established or how it developed.

To date

The excavations on the site support the picture of a small successful farmstead, active between the 2nd and the 4th centuries AD. Evidence of two roundhouses have been recorded, with the LIDAR evidence suggesting at least the possibility of two further structures. The farmstead produced flour, worked on cultivated crops and likely also mined for surface lead, suggesting a busy prosperous settlement.

The 2017 grant-funded excavation proved invaluable to the interpretation of the site, with the presence of a large courtyard established with entrances from the east and a further entrance to the south leading to a southern annexe. Further work into the roundhouse first discovered in 2012 also presented evidence of a porched structure with a pathway leading up northeast to the as-yet unexcavated upper platform. Pottery remains, as well as quernstone fragments, a silver Roman coin and a crossbow brooch of a rare type also added to the evidence uncovered.

2019 Season

Confirmed for Wednesday 10th-Wednesday 24th July 2019.

The dig is suitable for all levels of experience and on-site training will be provided, as will all equipment (although you are welcome to bring your own tools if you have them).

Young people between the ages of 11-17 inclusive are welcome, but must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian, or a responsible adult nominated by the parent/guardian. If you want to bring a young person please ensure that they are interested in the dig and able to maintain the necessary concentration for the time they are present.

Places are limited to 20 per day. As such to ensure a place on the excavation contact SWAAG and book the necessary slots.