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7.00pm 27th August 2006
Brigid still hasn't found the wall. Her trench (3) has some gravel- filled features, but there's not a wall in sight, yet. It's thought that the linear features are either drainage ditches or possibly even boundary ditches relating to an earlier field system which existed before the houses were built. The wall search continues.
Trench 2 hasn't hit the foundations of any steps but the extent of the canal's width can now be determined at around 45 feet. Mick Aston is interested in checking out some parch marks (areas of grass which reveal themselves in a lighter colour when hot weather dries out the soil over underlying archaeology). 'I'm hoping we can get a new trench in tomorrow as I'm thinking the marks could be indicating the retaining walls of the canal steps.' said Mick, 'If the head gardener is fine with it, we'll have another trench for you to look at tomorrow.'
5.30pm 27th August 2006
Trench three has come up with some incredible finds. Not only has it given up a fragment of Victorian jewellery, which is either an earring or droplet from a necklace, but also a clay pipe stem with an ash leaf design and inscribed with the name 'Brown'. Did super gardener Capability smoke and snap his pipe at the palace? The trench has also provided one of the oldest finds; a beautiful Mesolithic flint blade approximately 6,000 years old. Prehistoric tool to Victorian jewel, not bad for a days work, but what does it mean? Well, it still looks like we're caught in the land of make-up material, and Brigid still hasn't found a wall.
Back at Trench 2, Phil continues to go down and the trench has also been widened in an attempt to hit the foundations of a series of steps which are thought to have run down the sides of the canal from the house terrace. Phil's tankard has also been partially reconstructed.
Check out the finds gallery to see the latest finds.
3.00pm 27th August 2006
Matt interviews Mick Aston
Mick talks about the archaeology at Buckingham Palace, the Young Archaeologists Club and the difficulties of working at landscaped sites – for 15 minutes!
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