Bronze Age discovery in east Oxford



A 4,000-year-old Bronze Age arrowhead was one of many exciting discoveries made during our East Oxford Community Archaeology dig at Minchery Farm near Blackbird Leys this past October and November.

The five-week dig also revealed other prehistoric worked flints, and medieval decorated glazed floor-tiles showing heraldic designs such as birds and griffins. Roman pottery and tile suggests that the site was in use in earlier times.

The site at Minchery Farm was once the Littlemore Priory, a medieval nunnery established in around AD 1110, of which only one 15th century building - currently used as the Priory Pub - remains. The priory was closed by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525 following allegations of that the nuns were involved in scandalous practices.

Enthusiastic volunteers, guided by project staff, revealed stone walls, floors and hearths, and showed the buildings on the site were once much more extensive. More than 700 volunteer hours were logged over the five week period the excavation took place.

The East Oxford Archaeology team, in their last newsletter, reported:

'The Minchery excavation exceeded all our expectations. We had some really interesting and varied archaeology, some amazing finds, had great press coverage and even received a visit from a very enthusiastic vice chancellor of the University. But what made it all possible was the enthusiasm and hard work of all the Archeox volunteers. Thank you to everyone who got involved and made the excavation such a success.'

To find out more about the work of the East Oxford Community Archaeology project and to learn of opportunities for volunteering, please visit the project website at archeox.net.

News coverage of this dig includes:

 

The East Oxford Community Archaeology project (Archeox) is hosted by Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Published 10 January 2013