The Big Dig! Week One
Week 1 : July 12th 2003
The Northmoor Trust is delighted to announce the start of the archaeology programme on Castle Hill.
As the nature reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with a breeding population of Great Crested Newts, action was needed to protect the species. Many newts have a terrestrial habitat, i.e. do not live in water all year around, and potentially they could be in the grassland of the Big Dig area. Northmoor Trust staff have been busy erecting newt-proof fencing to ensure the spoil heaps do not attract newts where they could be exposed to harm.
Oxford Archaeology (OA) have started on an eight week programme digging on Castle Hill.
A number of volunteers have joined OA and are hard at work in the current heat wave. The ground is dry and hard but good progress has been made. Some of the volunteers enjoy temporary camping facilities at Little Wittenham.
