2021 Dig Bookings now open!Posted on 17:36, July 6th, 2021
Bookings now open for the 2021 Hyde900 Community Dig August 19 to 22Hyde900 are organising a fifth community dig event to take place August 19th to 22nd following previous years’ highly successful events. This year’s event returns to what was the Inner Precinct of Hyde Abbey, on the outskirts of Winchester, and once again we are exploring the remains of the abbey’s medieval cloisters. We already have enough householders offering their gardens to be confident that this year’s dig will reveal more about the layout and architecture of the abbey. We anticipate that once again finds from the dig will help illuminate the life of the inhabitants of the abbey, which flourished from 1110 to the Dissolution in 1538/9. We very much hope you will take part or visit the dig on the Open Day on Saturday August 21st.
Previous digs have established the locations of the east and south sets of cloister buildings. What is still unknown is the position and extent of the west arm of the cloister. This is where, traditionally, the cellarer operated and had his storerooms. It also sometimes housed the monk’s dormitory – or was accommodation for the abbot. However for a grand monastery such as Hyde, having at one time a mitred abbot, it is likely that in later years that he would have had separate accommodation – perhaps in the two storied building found just outside the cloister area at last year’s dig. We will be exploring an adjacent area during the dig. Another new area to be explored is the south end of the east range of cloister buildings. This was the typical location for the monks’ dormitory – which often had the washing and toilet facilities – so we might just be finding the foundations for the abbey’s latrines! To read the latest press releases click HERE For answers to Frequently Asked questions about participating in the dig please click HERE For the dig location and public parking details please click HERE |