Archaeologists to reveal medieval past of Durham village

ARCHAEOLOGISTS are hoping to reveal the “fascinating” past of a tiny village.

The 12-day excavation by Northern Archaeological Associates will explore the Medieval remains of Brignall, near Greta Bridge in County Durham.

Volunteers are needed for the dig, which will start on October 5 and is part of a Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership project.

Project manager Penny Middleton said: “This is a great opportunity to get involved in local heritage and gain first-hand experience in archaeological excavation.

“From the preliminary work we have undertaken so far, it looks like Brignall is going to be a fascinating site, and will provide a real insight into what life might have been like in the village five to six hundred years ago".

The earliest reference to Brignall is in the Domesday Book, written around 1086, which records the village as a small settlement supporting sixteen villagers, six smallholders and three freemen.

By 1265 it had become important enough to be granted an annual and weekly market, and prospered during the reign of Henry VIII, when it was owned by Sir James Philip, the King’s Steward.

But over subsequent centuries changes to land ownership and agricultural practices meant people moved to industrial centres and the village shrank in size and is now made up of just a handful of homes.

Anyone who wants to join the dig will be provided with full training and equipment and can contact Ms Middleton on pm@naa.gb.com or 0191 3750943 for more details.

A public open day will be held on October 17 so people can explore the discoveries.

(pics/source: www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/southdurham/barnardcastle/13787058.Archaeologists_to_reveal_medieval_past_of_County_Durham_village/ )