The last day of the dig has finally arrived. Time to tidy everything up, make sure all the recording is done and finally clear the site for a set of final photographs. Sounds easy?

It is our belief that on an archaeological excavation the last 10% of the work counts for 80% of the information that will eventually be published. The lovely set of final photographs showing all the excavated area in pristine condition, the records of the areas you have been chewing away at without resolving them until the last few hours. All those jobs you put off ; leave recording that section for later, take that photograph later. All these loose ends must be tied up as the site will be over, later has arrived and there is no more later to be had.

All this leads to the state known as ‘final panic’ which coincides with packing up tools equipment and the site cabin as well as resolving difficult stratigraphic issues in the plans and sections.

So, suffice it to say that this final day’s journal entry will be relatively short. All areas are completed, all segments through the ring ditch and deep area  have been finished, all the finds are bagged and all the drawing is done.

Keep following the journal over the next weeks to find out what the excavation revealed and to see find out more about the site, its context and the process of excavation on our Trust for Thanet Archaeology and University of Kent training excavation.

It just remains to thank in no particular order Marie-Claire, Emma, Gabby, Scott, Kaneez and Emily from the University of Kent for their hard work and dedication over the ten days and for doing justice to this important site. Also Maggy, John, Niccy and Margaret of the Isle of Thanet Archaeological society, our junior volunteer Katherine and also Simon and Adam for the Trust for their great efforts during the dig.  We would like to thank the University of Kent for funding the training excavation and allowing students to have an opportunity to take part in field work on this historic site. We would also like to express our appreciation to the landowner Mr. David Steed for once again indulging archaeologists in their passion for the past on his land.

The project is dedicated to the memory of Dr. David Perkins, the Trust’s first director, in whose pioneering footsteps we have worked during the last two weeks.

Keep following the progress of the analysis of the site here…