‪David Radford‬
‪@davidradford.bsky.social‬
· 3mo
Recent archaeological work in Oxford:
www.oxford.gov.uk/downloads/do...
#archaeology #history #oxford #medieval #artisan #lens #reading #odeon

www.oxford.gov.uk/downloads/fi...

Recent archaeological work in Oxford:
www.oxford.gov.uk/downloads/do...
#archaeology #history #oxford #medieval #prehistoric #royal #palace #artisan

2/6
Two east-west close-spaced archaeological borehole transects appear to have confirmed the route of a north-south primary burh ditch first suggested 125 years ago following excavations in the Clarendon Quadrangle, where a wall and bank were recorded heading south-east.

#OxfordTopFiveDigs2024
#1 Oriel College Kitchen 1/6
An archaeological investigation by Oxford Archaeology at Oriel College appears to have resolved the125 year debate about a smaller ‘primary burh’ at Oxford, it also revealed parts of the old college kitchen.
#Archaeology #History #Oxford

3/5
This suggests at least three major reconfigurations of the site 1) A 12th century priory/early abbey layout evidenced by the water channel 2) the construction of a large precinct wall enclosing the southern end of the abbey site, thought to be pre-14th century in date and…

2/5
A number of north-south water channels revetted with timber were revealed and an important discovery was a timber lined north-south channel running under the pre-14th century buttressed precinct wall. A stunning ‘serpent head’ medieval ring was recovered from the channel fill.

#OxfordTopFiveDigs2024
#2 Oseney Abbey, Gibbs Crescent 1/5
Excavations at Gibbs Crescent, Osney, by Oxford Archaeology revealed part of the medieval Augustinian Oseney Abbey precinct.
#Archaeology #History #Oxford

4/6
In May a strip and record excavation by John Moore Heritage Services and subsequent watching brief revealed three likely sunken features buildings and a ditch of early Anglo-Saxon date.

3/6
In Oxford the main focus for early Saxon settlement seems to be either side of Littlemore Brook and (based on the results from Dominion Oils site located next to Heyford Hill Sainsburys) just beyond.

2/6
Later he called them the West Saxons & they were pushed south by the emergence of Mercian power to a new centre around Winchester.
#Archaeology #History #Oxford

#OxfordTopFiveDigs2024
#3 The Dominion Oils Site, Littlemore 1/6
Bede describes the grouping that occupied the Upper Thames zone around Oxford in the early 7th century as the Gewisse.
projects.arch.ox.ac.uk/wessex.html
#Archaeology #History #Oxford

3/4 Aubrey says: “When [17th c college head Dr Kettell] scolded the idle young boies of his college, he used these names. Viz. Turds., Tarrarags (these were the worst sort, rude raskells, Rascal-Jacks, Blindcinques, Scobberlotchers…”

2/4 The pits below the college lawn contain large quantities of 17th c & later clay pipe & other debris. There is a strong flavour of heavy tobacco consumption & the pursuit of leisure, corresponding nicely to the observations of antiquarian John Aubrey…
#History #Oxford

#OxfordTopFiveDigs2024
#4 Trinity College Gardens 1/4
A new heat pump array in the gardens of Trinity College has involved a long narrow excavation by @UKTVAS that has revealed medieval features, early 18th c formal Dutch garden features & post-med waste/quarry pits.
#Archaeology

3/4
The palace (or Royal House) was comprised of a hall, kitchen and at least two chambers and was built by Henry I in 1132. It became a favourite resting place of Kings en route from London to the hunting lodge at Woodstock. Richard the Lionheart and King John were born here.

2/4
Previously 34 such pits were recorded during the excavation of the University Archaeology Library, with pottery from the pits suggesting a 12th century date for the planting scheme.

#OxfordTopFiveDigs2024
#5 Pusey Lane 1/4
An initial phase of excavation at Pusey Lane, by Oxford Archaeology, has recorded a circular feature that forms part of an arrangement of tree planting pits belonging to the garden layout of the Angevin Royal Palace of Henry I.
#Archaeology #History #Oxford

A new batch of 'The Roman pottery industry of East Oxford' leaflets have arrived and are available from the Museum of Oxford, Headington Library, Cowley Library and the Oxfordshire History Centre (and hopefully other locations soon!)

#Oxford #History #Archaeology #Roman #MOX