Epiacum Molehill Survey

Last Thursday I headed over to Cumbria to take part in a molehill survey with the group
Altogether Archaeology. They focus largely on the archaeology of the North Pennines,
which usually means about an hour's travelling for me (if not more) in order to reach a
majority of the sites.

An aerial view of Epiacum. Note how prominent the “lumps and bumps” are!

The molehill survey allowed us to investigate a highly important, but not very well known Roman fort, named Epiacum. Epiacum is situated at Whitley Castle, approximately 2km north of Alston. The Maiden Way runs past the fort, and it is thought that this road was constructed due to lead and silver mining in the North Pennines.

Epiacum is a scheduled ancient monument, so it is illegal to do any sort of excavation or disturbance without consent. However, the moles have been incredibly helpful. Throughout the year, they frequently bring up artefacts and evidence of what life was like on the fort.

It is then the job of the archaeologists and volunteers to systematically investigate the molehills.
A grid is plotted using canes, with each square measuring approximately 10x10 metres. Measuring out the grids is the hardest part, due to the earthworks where the buildings once stood. Everyone is then split into groups. This depends on numbers, so we were split into small groups of 3. The molehills are then sieved and any finds are placed into a small bag with the site details and appropriate grid reference written on. These finds are then plotted onto a large-scale plan of the site.

Thankfully, the weather was glorious; the sun shone all day and the heat was pretty intense for being up in the hills in March! Unfortunately, I didn't take any photographs of my finds (I was too busy concentrating to even think about it at the time), but the artefacts I unearthed included various sherds of pottery (mostly samian ware) and some nails. These artefacts came from the barracks, the principia (or headquarters building), the road outside the fort leading to the north gate, and from the ditches next to the north gate. Other volunteers investigated more of the barracks, the principia, and the bath house. Although the moles have been very active recently, we didn't find as much as we would have like.

The view across the fort and the valley (taken during coffee break!)

Taking part in a molehill survey for the first time was really fun, and I would love to do it again. Sadly, this was the final year of the project at Epiacum, but who knows, it may start up again. On Wednesday, I will be heading back over to Cumbria to take part in the excavation of Long Meg and Her Daughters. I'll try and take more photographs, and I'll definitely be blogging the experience!

Bethany

PLEASE NOTE: If you visit Whitley Castle, please do not pick up any objects or disturb the ground; it is strictly illegal to do so. Should you find anything lying on the ground surface at any of the ancient monuments in the North Pennines, please report them to the AONB's Historic Environment Officer as soon as possible.