W Midlands Archaeol 46

Describes how the scheme has developed and progressed since 1997 and takes a look at some of the finds recorded in the past year.

Overview and opinion piece concerning the strategies for, and current state of, archaeology at all levels of education in the West Midlands and elsewhere.

Re-evaluation of Arthur's Stone, a Neolithic chambered long cairn located on a west-facing ridge in western Herefordshire, which has never been excavated although it has been discussed by various writers. The author describes the cairn itself and its immediate surroundings, along with previous interpretations of the site and descriptions by antiquarians, including speculation on features which may have been destroyed. The context and alignment of the cairn within the surrounding landscape are discussed.

Note of excavations carried out inside the Chapter House during 2003. The excavations did not find evidence of any structures pre-dating the Norman Chapter House; however a large number of Anglo-Saxon and medieval burials were located. Two noteworthy graves, both aligned on the Norman doorway, are described in detail.

Describes an archaeological survey of the deer park carried out in 2003, which identified a total of 149 sites or features of archaeological interest. Some of the more noteworthy features are briefly mentioned, including ridge and furrow; evidence for woodland management and quarrying; the park boundary to the south and north; and confirmation of the location of the medieval deer-park and substantiation of its connection with the site of an earthwork castle nearby.

Description of an archaeological estate survey carried out in 2003 at the estate, which noted over 350 features of archaeological or landscape-historical interest. Significant findings included the extent of medieval settlement, indicated by probable field systems, an unrecorded hamlet and a historically documented deserted medieval village; the moated medieval site of Lower Brockhampton; the foundations of the west wing of the manor house in the vicinity of Brockhampton House; and a number of discrete features (possibly burials) to the north of Brockhampton Chapel, adjacent to the moated site.