Blog: Shrewsbury Castle dig diary: Day 4 – 21 July 2022

The good weather held for the fourth day of excavations, with cloud cover and moderate temperatures. Though there were few finds for the day, we made many interesting discoveries.

Student volunteers, led by Morn Capper and Nigel Baker, made significant progress on trench four, near the Postern Gate. A deep layer of natural clay was uncovered. A line of stones near the outer edge of the trench, first revealed on day two, were further uncovered today. Given their position they may form an ornamental structure, such as a garden wall. More significant was the discovery of a second footing to the wall base, considered a medieval structure.

Trench 4 at lunch on day 4, with the revealed possible garden feature (below) and exposed clay (centre)

Morn Capper uncovers a second footing of the Castle curtain wall

Demi removes the last grit and clinker from a likely garden feature

On the motte top a third area of Trench 3 was opened by Dai Williams’ team in the middle of the dig site. Not much has yet been found in this trench as the have team worked hard to get through the modern cobbles and Telford gravel and hardcore levels but signs are promising. In the eastern-most area a possible post hole was discovered – archaeology student Alex excavated the post holes to reveal stone footings lining the hole by the end of day 4.

Alex’s completed postholes in Trench 3

On site today was drone expert Justin Phillips, part of @CREST at University Centre Shrewsbury. Justin explained the important procedures for flying drones safely, such as the exclusion zone at Shrewsbury Railway Station next to the Castle, and using his drone was able to take panoramic and contextual shots of the Castle dig site.

We were also visited by a team from #Historic England, who granted the Scheduled Monument Consent that allows us to do this important work. It is expected that trench four will be finished at the weekend so come check it out while you still can. Digging continues on the top of the motte as we move below the Telford layers to hopefully discover signs of the medieval tower.

Historic England visiting with Nigel Baker and Morn Capper

Scripted by Demi Jefferies, on behalf of volunteers at Shrewsbury Castle Project