2021 Fieldwalking

As Covid-19 lockdown restrictions eased, some fieldwalking of the perimeters of Darrington fields resumed. Some of the field boundaries ran along the side of the A1 and the finds were many and varied. Modern finds included a decent golf club (!) and an early form of cylindrical battery with a bituminous surface showing impressions of textile wrapping. The battery is centre of the picture to the left, among pieces of lead and slag.

Of greater interest were finds of many pieces of haematite including plano-convex and reddened forms, an unusual mineral in a rough ingot/bar shape, sherds of early pottery, burnt clay or daub and a conical limestone loom weight drilled from two sides. All consistent with Iron Age-Romano British activity in the area.

Some of these better finds are shown below.