Sunday, 14 August 2011

Boston Big Dig

At the end of July/beginning of August, for three weeks, an archeological dig took place in the Market Place in Boston, here are some of the things that they found in those three weeks. The "diggers" were professional archeologists and also volunteers of all ages.
They opened four trenches, one near the Herbert Ingram statue, on the site of the old Butchery,
one at the end of Dolphin Lane, on the site of the old Buttercross,

one outside the old Corn Exchange Hotel where the present day Marks and Spencer's stands,

and one in front of the Assembly Rooms.


These are just a few of the many things that they uncovered.

A 16th. century brass hairpin.

A wooden flea comb.

Above and below: Clay pipes.


A dagger sheath.

Various pins.

pottery.

A snuff bottle.

A trading token.

An upper part of a medieval boot or shoe.

3 comments:

  1. I stopped to watch the dig every day, but unfortunately they already had enough volunteers :-( I'm planning a trip to The Guildhall this week to see the finds.

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  2. Hi Billy
    My name is Rob Clay. I am originally from Boston but left for a job in Northampton 31 years ago, and I'm still here! I've always liked history, and have been tracing my family tree through Ancestry.co.uk for about a year. It seems my family haven't moved far. The earliest Clay I found was from 1606 and came from Spalding! My parents are still alive and live on Horncastle Road. In fact, my mum was a Gilchrist before she married and grew up in Ingram Road, when it was still fairly new, I think.
    I was very pleased to find your blog, and learned a lot about Boston that I didn't already know. Thanks for taking the time to put it all together.
    I was very sad to hear of your failing health. I too am having lung/breathing problems, but they are not yet sure what it is. I've had a barrage of tests and still need to go for more, because mine may be heart-related. Let's hope we see a few more sunsets before we go, eh?!
    Rob Clay

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  3. Thanks for your comments Rob, I am a lot better now than I was a year ago and I think the cancer has gone now I've had my lung removed. Hope your health improves mate. Boston has a wonderful history and I love finding new things out about it and sharing it with others. Good health to you.

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