Original article can be found at http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/viewa...c=304&id=811066

Major new dig gets under way at Vindolanda
March 20, 2008

THE new excavation season at the Vindolanda Roman fort near Bardon Mill gets under way on Sunday.

It marks the start of an exciting new phase of research which will employ teams of archaeologists at the site until 2012.

The excavations will concentrate on discovering the extent of the divide between those who lived inside the fort in the 3rd and 4th centuries, and those who lived outside its walls.

A civilian settlement which grew up outside a Roman fort to cater for the needs of and trade with its inhabitants was known as a vicus.

The project will focus on a section of the vicus, as well as the granaries inside the fort, and the north western quadrant of the fort itself.

Archaeologists hope to gain detailed information on the food supply to the garrison, as well as comparable domestic material to that recovered from areas outside the walls.

Director of excavations at Vindolanda, Andrew Birley, said: “This year excavations will start on what should be the site of twin granaries.

“From 2009 to 2012 they will continue north of the granary site to examine in detail the north-west quadrant of the stone fort where barracks, or perhaps stables, may be found.”

Excavations will continue until September 13, with archaeologists working on the site seven days a week – weather permitting.

Visitors are welcome to come and see the excavations in progress, talk to the archaeologists and see what they have discovered.

Vindolanda is one of the most prolific excavation sites in the country, with unique soil conditions preserving items such as paper and leather which would have disappeared centuries ago in other locations. Shoes are common finds and volunteers also regularly turn up various other artefacts.

There will be a series of events throughout the season at Vindolanda.