New excavation at Dartmoor Medieval Manor

This month archaeologists will be working with the local community in Widecombe in the Moor to try and uncover more of the secrets buried at the site of one of only four moated medieval manor houses in Devon.

North Hall Manor has, in recent years, been the subject of a series of archaeological excavations which have revealed much about this enigmatic site in Dartmoor National Park.

Archaeologists working with local community volunteers have unearthed imported pottery, pieces of glass and ridge tiles, indicating a high status building. Cobbled areas and sections of wall have also been discovered along with a surrounding moat.

This year archaeologists will be digging test pits across the site in order to learn more about the timber and stone buildings which once made up the manor complex. The work completed this year will help inform a major excavation at the site next year.

The work will be carried out on 18 and 19 July and members of the public are welcome to come along to see what has been discovered. The site will be open from 10.30 – 4 pm on both days and entry is FREE.

The open days are part of the national Festival of British Archaeology. Co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology, the Festival offers hundreds of events nationwide, organised by museums, heritage organisations, national and country parks, universities, local societies, and community archaeologists.

The work at North Hall Manor is being undertaken with financial aid from the Heritage Lottery Funded Moor than meets the eye landscape partnership scheme, helping tell the story of Dartmoor through community involvement. It is bringing people together to explore Dartmoor’s past, conserve its wildlife and archaeology, improve understanding of the landscape and share and develop the skills to look after it for generations to come.

For more information, please visit www.moorthanmeetstheeye.org