The East Oxford Archaeology & History Project

Recent events:

Cheney School students learning geophysics.

The Project Team and 14 young people from Years 8-11 at Cheney School spent the afternoon of 3 November 2009 learning how to do geophysics on the school playing fields and beginning a measured survey of the medieval earthworks in South Park.

We all enjoyed ourselves a great deal. The Cheney recruits were whizz at 'geophizz', picking up the skills very quickly. The new team members also learnt to detect the ridges and furrows of old fields in the park (by standing on or in them!) and draw them to scale. We hope to be able to finish the survey later.

Shortly afterwards, on 8 November, we had an open walk/talk session at Bartlemas Chapel.

David Clark and enthusiasts at Bartlemas.

Upwards of 50 people came, which was great. Historian David Clark explained details of the historic architecture (pictured), pottery expert Maureen Mellor looked at a range of pot and other finds which had been made around the site in recent decades, and we all walked up to the 'holy spring' in Bartlemas Wood at the top of Oriel College playing field, and into the neighbouring allotments, to explore the landscape further. This is a fantastic site and landscape, and an amazing survival.

We hope to do more investigations there as the project continues.

Cowley Road on Carnival Day.

Do you live in, or are you interested in, the east or south-east of Oxford? Have you ever wondered how your surroundings got to be the way they are? Whether there’s a reason for a particular street name? What’s hidden beneath your feet? Central Oxford is famous for its history and archaeology - perhaps you have assumed that the intriguing stories of the past all have their roots in the city centre.

But the history of the East of the City of Oxford is also fascinating – rich and hugely varied. From prehistoric sites to a huge Romano-British pottery industry, a medieval farming landscape to civil war defences, leper hospital to industrial sites.

There is much more to be found out about East Oxford’s past. And if you are from, or are interested in, the area including Blackbird Leys, Littlemore, Rose Hill, Florence Park, Cowley, Iffley, St Clement’s and Headington, we hope from this autumn to give you the opportunity to become part of a project finding out about its archaeology and history.

Would you like to learn how to do geophysics, examine old photos for evidence or survey a park, meadow or city landscape? No experience at all is necessary. Beginning in Autumn 2009, if the funding bid now underway is successful, we intend to offer free professionally-supported training in archaeological and historical techniques including:

• excavation and geophysics
• dealing with all kind of finds, maps and other evidence
• specialist computer programmes and landscape surveying using modern equipment.

There will be something for everyone who thinks they could have an interest in the past of their local place. You can join in at different levels, whatever your age or educational background, for different lengths of time and to learn specific skills. The East Oxford Project wants to uncover the past of your area, working with local people. However ordinary your surroundings might appear, there’s a story waiting to be discovered.