• Finding earlier parts<br />of the Palace
  • A series of walls<br />uncovered by the moat

Woking Palace Archaeological Project 2011

Back on Site Again - Week One

Immediately after the Open Days held by the Friends earlier in July, members of the Woking Palace Archaeological Project started setting up the headquarters of this season’s excavations, funded by Surrey County Council, Woking Borough Council and Surrey Archaeological Society.

Very soon the trenches were being opened. One was prepared for the arrival of members of the public who were joining the excavations through the “Dig for a Day” scheme. This is a Community Archaeology programme that offers those who have not had the chance to experience archaeology in a hands-on way to try it themselves. They and experienced members of Surrey Archaeological Society, led by professional archaeologists from Surrey County Council’s Heritage Enterprises, are contributing to increasing our understanding of the long development of this nationally important medieval and Tudor site, located just a mile away from the original town of Woking, now the village of Old Woking.

This season the focus is on three areas. The first is where the Gatehouse is thought to have stood, the second is the range of buildings northwest of the Tudor Great Hall and finally to the south west of the surviving vaulted building an area that, last year, produced evidence of kitchen deposits from medieval feasting on the site. So far we have uncovered a variety of walls, waste deposits and what may be a brick drain but it is early days so we will have to wait and see what is revealed as the excavations progress.

The project involves a great many people in addition to those excavating. QUEST (University of Reading) are carrying out specialist environmental and other surveys while Archaeology South East (University of London) is providing assistance with topographic surveying. Surrey Archaeological Society has supplied a team to carry out the initial processing of the finds on site. SCC Heritage Enterprises will carry out the detailed analysis of the finds after the dig with the University of Nottingham providing specialist bone identification. The Friends of Woking Palace are providing a whole range of practical support to the dig – including providing regular tea and coffee, which is much appreciated by those digging! The immediate neighbours are again offering support and encouragement.


Video Blogs for 2011 and 2010
View the video blogs on the Exploring Surrey's Past website: www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/wokingpalacevideoblog.

Stripping the turf

Stripping the turf

Working near the Great Hall

Working near the Great Hall

The Gatehouse near the moat

The Gatehouse near the moat

Taking a break!

Taking a break!

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