The site of Tregruk in Wales was yet another stunning location. We hoped to uncover the secrets of a hidden medieval castle buried deep in the woods. Our Location Manager Kerry had to fell some trees just so that we could gain access to the site. It was our mission using excavation, extensive building survey and 3D modelling to uncover the story behind this hidden fortress.
I had the luck, or misfortune, depending on whether you like risking your life under a collapsing garderobe (toilet), to be digging the medieval latrines. Luckily they weren't in use, although various members of the team did threaten me with their reinstatement. We hoped to find medieval excreta (cess) and using environmental samples we might be able to find out what people ate. We might even be able to date the garderobe by finding items that dropped from people's pockets. In some senses this is the best part of archaeology, giving us amazing amounts of information, but I still dread smell. Digging latrines is usually Raksha's speciality, but as she wasn't there it was left to me.
It became clear that this was not just any toilet, it was a posh, elaborate four seated toilet complex. Removing fallen masonry and vast amounts of soil, we reached the bottom of the stone cess-pit but failed to find any excreta! So with mechanical help from little Ian in the Case Digger, we extended the trench. This revealed a ramped walkway, some unfortunate soul would have been paid to clear out the waste using the ramp - not unlike I myself wheeling out the dirt with a modern day wheelbarrow!
The other trenches, the building survey and the historical research revealed a similar story - elaborate architecture that looked defensive but which would not have been up to the job, suggesting this castle was more a hunting lodge than a fortress. The idea of this castle as a romantic retreat seemed to bring out our archaeologists romantic side - our very own Matt had the local woodcutter make a 4-foot love-spoon for his wife to be Janine (hope not too many hearts are broken with that news).
To finish the three days Phil and Matt faced yet another cameo competition - this time it was longbow archery. Their aim didn't prove to be too good, that was until series producer Tim Taylor gave his hat to Phil as a target - suddenly Phil hit the bull's-eye straight away!
