Swaledale Big Dig

Work starting on a Big Dig test pit in a private garden in Reeth.

The Swaledale Big Dig was a two-year community archaeology project initiated and overseen by SWAAG.

It took place during 2014 and 2015 and involved more than 500 local people in a broad range of archaeology-related activities developed around the core programme of uncovering evidence in 50 one-metre-square test pits. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project took place mainly in Reeth village but also in and around Fremington and Grinton. It produced a large volume of archaeological evidence, notably more than 4,000 pieces of pottery, which has helped form new impressions about the local history of the area.

To read the final report, click here: Alan Mills, ed., The Swaledale Big Dig final report (SWAAG, 2016).

The 50 test pits were numbered 1-62, with 12 numbers omitted. Those in Reeth were nos. 1-46 (omitting 12 nos.), nos. 49 and 62 – total 36 pits. Those in Fremington were nos. 47, 48, and 50-55 –total 8 pits. Those in Grinton were nos. 56-60 and 62 –total 6 pits.

There is a detailed report by Jenny Vaughan on the finds extracted from all 50 test pits. The report can be read here: Test pit finds report by Jenny Vaughan.

Reports on each of the 50 test pits in the three settlement locations can be seen here: Individual test pit reports page.

Public Communications

Community leaflet – At the end of the project, a summarising leaflet was delivered to all households in the Big Dig area. It can be seen here: Swaledale Big Dig Leaflet.

Schools training – At the beginning of the project, in April 2014, SWAAG members lead two days of training for children at Reeth, Arkengarthdale, and Gunnerside schools to introduce them to the skills of geophysical surveying and test pit excavation. A report can be seen here: Schools training days.

Newsletters – During the project, a series of 14 online newsletters was produced to keep participants and the community in general informed and engaged. They can be seen by clicking the links below.

Video Diaries – We also produced seven short video diaries, which were uploaded to Youtube and can be accessed below.