In 2026, we opened an additional trench, Trench 4.
This was an evaluation trench, dug to see if we could find the northern boundary of the cemetery and to explore what else might be on the northern part of the site. We think we have found the boundary, several metres north of the edge of Trench 2.
One our other discoveries was this large pit (approx. 1.2m diameter). The pit is round but only half has been excavated at this stage, what archaeologists describe as half-sectioned, as this allows a clear view of all the layers within it.
The very bottom layer is what remains of the original content – it was a cesspit. At least some, and possibly all, of the layers above it may represent attempts to seal the deposit and so reduce the smell once the pit’s original purpose had finished. The light orange layer is natural clay which is set into a narrow lining of white sandy material (also natural); the black layer is ash dumped from a fire.
Samples have been taken from the different layers to see what can be learnt about its contents.
The rectangle taken out of the side at the bottom right of the picture is a step, cut so archaeologists could get in and out.