All archaeological finds from the Sherwood Forest Archaeology Project need processing
External Specialists:
Reporting on Archaeological works is essential, and Mercian publish to the highest standards possible.
It is Mercian’s aims through all our work to involve specialists and to process all finds to the highest standards.
At Mercian we work with some of the leading experts around the country to provide the highest quality and to extract the most information possible from our work.
Specialists cover a whole range of artefact analysis including:
Ceramics, Metalwork, Human Bones, Animal Bones and more…
We also use specialists for environmental sampling, thermoluminesence dating, radicarbon dating, dendrochronology and more…
Internal Specialists:
At Mercian we are fortunate to have the talents and knowledge of our own in-
The processing that finds go through is a long and slow process that will ultimately result in a FULL archaeological report. This takes many months. This cannot and should not be rushed. Although many people do rush to publish, this will lead to misinterpretation and bad results.
You can follow part of the processing for pottery finds below:
Pottery artefacts are collected in Finds trays on site, labelled with the “Site Code and “context” they were found in:
Community Archaeology Nottinghamshire, Community Archaeology Derbyshire, Community Archaeology Leicestershire, Community Archaeology East Midlands, Mercian Archaeological Services Community Archaeology for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Sherwood Forest, Leicestershire and the East Midlands. Community Archaeology Nottinghamshire, Community Archaeology East Midlands, Community Archaeology Leicestershire. Archaeological
Working with Specialists
Picture: Finds identification training for volunteer archaeologists by Mercian Archaeological Services CIC’c finds expert David Budge
All finds are washed and cleaned to enable analysis and for long term storage:
Picture: Volunteers washing finds at Kings Clipstone
All pottery is sorted by context and identified where possible, and a preliminary scan of the finds is undertaken to identify ware types and dates…
The finds from each context are quantified including by counting and by weight:
Picture: Medieval pottery being weighed
A Magnified section of a Medieval pot, showing the complex mineralogy
Volunteers learning to identify Medieval pottery
A section of a pot is examined under magnification to search for inclusions that can identify its source.
Finds have to be analysed:
A Magnified section of a Medieval pot, showing the complex mineralogy
A Magnified section of a Medieval pot, showing the complex mineralogy
A Magnified section of a Medieval pot, showing the complex mineralogy
Finds marking for museum accession
Volunteers drawing pottery for archaeological reports
Finds are labelled for storage:
Individual diagnostic pieces of pottery are selected or drawing:
Volunteers drawing pottery for archaeological reports
Volunteers marking pottery and finds for museum accession
Drawings of Medieval bowls © Mercian Archaeological Services CIC
Drawings of Medieval Jugs © Mercian Archaeological Services CIC
Finds are photographed:
Drawings of Medieval Jars © Mercian Archaeological Services CIC
Drawings of Medieval Jugs © Mercian Archaeological Services CIC
Re-
The above is just a part of the long and meticulous process that is undertaken by Mercian Archaeological Services CIC on artefacts ranging from bone to metal work and ceramics to flint tools and Pot-
Finds also need to be sent away to specialist finds experts for analysis-
All artefacts discovered on any site are of equal important to the story and Mercian treat all artefacts with the same respect and care. We do not discriminate by period and respect all parts of the archaeological record.
Recording and processing finds to this level set Mercian Archaeological Services CIC apart and is part of our mission to undertake long-
Training and learning on the Sherwood Forest Archaeology Project:
As part of the Sherwood Forest Archaeology Project we are always looking to teach people and to engage them in their heritage in as many ways as possible.
Volunteers receive training, education and learning opportunities in finds processing skills.
All stages of the post-
The best way to learn is hands on!
Learning opportunities include: finds handling, finds washing, finds sorting, weighing, quantifying, and drawing…
Volunteers are trained in handling and recognising finds from all periods from prehistoric worked flints to post medieval ceramics…
All students attending Mercian’s field schools receive training in recognising pottery and artefacts.
The Future of Sherwood’s Past
Project page links:
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The Sherwood Forest
National Nature Reserve Archaeology Survey
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Long term Research at
King John’s Palace:
Ancient Royal Heart of Sherwood Forest
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The Sherwood Forest Archaeology Training Fieldschool
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“Scirwuda-
Ghost and Shadow woods of Sherwood Forest Project
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Investigating Thynghowe Viking
Meeting Site
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Searching for the
The Battle of Hatfield
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Fieldswork at St Edwin’s Chapel
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St Mary’s Norton-
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Mapping Medieval Sherwood Forest
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The Sherwood Forest LiDAR
Project
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Warsop Old Hall
Archaeological Project
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The Sherwood Villages Project:
Settlement Development in the Forest
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Researching Edward IIs fortification at Clipstone Peel
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The Cistercians of Rufford Project:
Settlement Development, Dynamics and Desertion.
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Sherwood Forest Environmental Survey
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World War II in Sherwood Forest -
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World War I in Sherwood Forest -
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About Medieval Sherwood Forest
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Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest
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Project page links:
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-
-
-
-
-
-
The Sherwood Forest
National Nature Reserve Archaeology Survey
-
Long term Research at
King John’s Palace:
Ancient Royal Heart of Sherwood Forest
-
The Sherwood Forest Archaeology Training Fieldschool
-
“Scirwuda-
Ghost and Shadow woods of Sherwood Forest Project
-
Investigating Thynghowe Viking
Meeting Site
-
Searching for the
The Battle of Hatfield
-
-
Fieldswork at St Edwin’s Chapel
-
St Mary’s Norton-
-
Mapping Medieval Sherwood Forest
-
The Sherwood Forest LiDAR
Project
-
Warsop Old Hall
Archaeological Project
-
The Sherwood Villages Project:
Settlement Development in the Forest
-
-
-
Researching Edward IIs fortification at Clipstone Peel
-
-
-
-
The Cistercians of Rufford Project:
Settlement Development, Dynamics and Desertion.
-
Sherwood Forest Environmental Survey
-
World War II in Sherwood Forest -
-
World War I in Sherwood Forest -
-
About Medieval Sherwood Forest
-
Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest
-
-
-
-
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Community Archaeology in Derbyshire
Community Archaeology in Leicestershire
Community Archaeology Nottinghamshire, Excavation, Research, Volunteering, Community Archaeology Derbyshire, Training, Social, Learning, Community Archaeology Leicestershire, Heritage, Involvement, Belonging, Knowledge sharing, Community Archaeology Lincolnshire, Topographic Survey, Talks and Presentations, Outreach, Archaeology Projects , Open Days, Schools, Finds Processing, Day Schools, Field Schools, Young People, Archaeology and History of Sherwood Forest, Pottery Research, Medieval, Roman, Prehistoric, Community Interest Company, Community Archaeology Nottinghamshire.
Community Archaeology in Nottinghamshire
Community Archaeology East Midlands
Community Archaeology in Lincolnshire
Community Archaeology in Yorkshire
Mercian Archaeological Services CIC
Specialists in Community Archaeology, Public Involvement, Research & Training
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