Clare Castle Country Park Archaeology
What is archaeology?
Archaeology is the study of human history through the physical remains that past societies have left behind, such as the remains of their buildings, their rubbish, their tools and their finery. It is different from history which uses written sources (although archaeologists use documents too) and tends to tell the story of the aristocracy and politics whereas archaeology is more likely to tell the story of ordinary, everyday life.
What is a community dig?
A community dig is one where the main work-force is made up of volunteers from the local community rather than professionally paid archaeologists. In most cases community digs are carried out with the support of a small number of paid archaeologists to provide guidance and support.
Why is Clare Castle Country Park such an interesting site?
We were particularly lucky to get the chance to dig in Clare Castle Country Park as the site of the Castle is a Scheduled Monument and therefore generally protected from any disturbance, even by archaeologists. We were awarded special dispensation to dig here, to investigate the different layers of occupation of this riverside settlement from the prehistoric period onwards. Through these digs we have had the opportunity to look at how castle life was organised and the origins of the town of Clare itself.
As a result of the National Lottery Heritage Fund award we were able to carry out a number of excavations within the Castle Grounds using a volunteer team from the local community under the direction of Suffolk Archaeology CIC (now Cotswold Archaeology). The volunteers have also helped complete the post-excavation work.
Excavations took place in the autumn of 2018, 2019 and 2021. Information regarding the autumn 2021 dig will be added shortly.
