Getting involved at Milton (week 12)

What an exhilarating and eventful week it has been! Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly, delving deep into the mysteries of the site, and we are now piecing together a comprehensive picture of Roman life at Milton. Adding to the excitement, we were fortunate to have a passionate volunteer join us, Reuben, an aspiring archaeologist who took the opportunity to contact us so he could witness firsthand the wonders of the Milton site.

Reuben told us: “I’m applying to study archaeology at university next year and the opportunity to get work experience on a Roman site like this has been amazing. The team have run me through a programme from getting hands-on with a spade and trowel through to recording data and site information. A complete introduction to archaeological fieldwork.”

While the allure of our work sometimes conjures images of Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, the reality is often more grounded. We approach each site with a methodical and meticulous mindset based on pre-planned research objectives. Although the thrill of digging and unearthing marvellous artefacts is undeniably the highlight, we devote careful thought and attention to the selection of how it is done. Guided by survey data and informed by excavation progress, we craft and update a cohesive excavation strategy, studying site plans and interpreting archaeological features as we seek to understand the site within its regional context.

Sharing our knowledge with an enthusiastic volunteer has been an incredibly rewarding experience for the staff on site too. Our goal extended beyond showcasing the diverse array of skills required for excavation; we also aimed to illustrate the thrill of being an archaeologist. Throughout Reuben’s time with us, he was immersed in every facet of archaeological fieldwork.

The experience culminated in the unearthing of a remarkable Roman brooch that he found while metal detecting. Reuben commented: “Unearthing a 2^nd century Roman brooch was incredible and really bought to life to life what was going on here 2,000 years ago. An amazing insight and experience—thank you!”

This Tutulus brooch, named for its unique shape, provides a captivating glimpse into Roman Britain. These brooches were popular in the 1^st–3^rd centuries AD, often made of silver or bronze, and they featured intricate designs and decorations including animals, human figures, and geometric patterns. Tutulus brooches were not only functional as clothing fasteners but were also expressions of artistic craftsmanship.

The discovery of this Tutulus brooch was an awe-inspiring moment, a personal artefact from someone who lived on that very spot almost 2,000 years before. By studying these brooches, archaeologists gain understanding into aspects of fashion, trade networks, social status, and cultural interactions. We are truly grateful to have had such an eager volunteer make such a remarkable find, leaving his own mark in the archaeological record and the story of Milton.

Passion drives each and every one of us in the team and being able to share our discoveries with the wider community is a crucial aspect of our work. We are delighted to announce that some of our remarkable finds will be on display at the Denny Abbey & The Farmland Museum here in Milton from 19^th July–2^nd August, allowing people a glimpse of the treasures we have uncovered. Furthermore, we eagerly look forward to welcoming members of the public to our site during the open days on Thursday 3^rd– Friday 4th August where we will share more about the site in the company of coin specialist, Peter Guest; pottery specialist, Rob Perrin; and with demonstrations on living history provided by the Longthorpe Legion. We hope to see you then!

As always, follow our progress on the site by following us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram.

Previous update (week 11).

Next update (week 13).

See the main project page here.