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An archaeological dig in Exning (Suffolk) has just thrown up some surprises, both in archaeological terms and the reaction of local people. Persimmon Homes are building 120 new homes and Archaeological Solutions have been carrying out the site investigation. Many Anglo Saxon and Bronze Age features have been excavated and the day before work was to finish they unearthed their most significant find, a warrior buried with his sword and dagger.
The real surprise though was the proactive response from local people, concerned that the dig may have ended prematurely. Councillor Simon Cole has written to the planning authority asking if the developer could be asked to extend the archaeological search to more of the site. He commented: “These are really significant finds, and have only been revealed by this excavation as the geophysical survey of the site did not pick up the graves. Who knows what else may be out there we could find Bodicea and her chariot.”
Let’s hope the people of Exning get their way. They may not as investigations are very expensive of course. However, according to Andy Peachey of Archaeological Solutions, “Persimmon has funded the excavation and as a developer they have been most generous and flexible in their approach to archaeology”. So maybe they won’t resist the idea of extending the dig. Building 120 houses presumably nets them a pretty massive amount of money so they can probably afford a bit more generosity!
4 comments
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18/12/2014 at 09:02
cath haiines
Why are archaeological digs so expensive?
18/12/2014 at 09:09
Alan S.
Simply put? To do it right (and thoroughly) takes time and care and training. You only get one shot as an archaeology dig is by its nature destructive. And a great deal of the cost can come post-excavation: finds processing, writing up the investigation results etc.
18/12/2014 at 10:06
Rach R
Think ‘expense’ needs putting into context. When put alongside other elements of a development budget, it is normally a fraction of the cost and only really becomes ‘expensive’ when you factor the post-excavation, as Alan S says. Archaeologists will do their best to mitigate the ‘risk’ that archaeology poses in terms of cost but when you come across the unexpected, the cost is then driven up. But unless someone knows of when it has cost an absolute fortune, archaeology is still cheap in the overall scheme of things. I remember reading something about what the average percentage of a development budget archaeology is but I wont throw figures around because I cant remember where I read it! I seem to think it was miniscule though… Can anyone else shed light on this?
18/12/2014 at 10:08
Alan S.
Thanks Rachael, yes, always worth remembering that ‘expensive’ is a relative term, and very dependent upon what (if anything) is found.