Archaeologists from Herefordshire Council have teamed up with residents to piece together the county’s past as part of a series of excavations and studies aimed at discovering how past communities lived.
Surveys at Olchon Valley, near Longtown, Upton Bishop, near Ross-on-Wye and Whitbourne, near Bromyard are helping experts gain a clearer understanding of how our ancient ancestors survived.
Stone crosses at Llanveynoe Church, in Olchon Valley, suggests that there was once an early British monastic site in the area dating back to the 6th, 7th or 8th century while the remains of what appears to be a monastic farm in the upper valley have been discovered and recorded for the first time.
A tombstone believed to be Roman – the centre of much speculation and attention in Upton Bishop – has been saved from future erosion after it was carefully extracted from the chancel of St John The Baptist’s Church.
It now sits proudly on display in the church thanks to the work of the local community. But the identity of the man engraved in the stone is still shrouded in mystery.
Archaeologists now believe he may even have been a Saxon priest. The Heritage Upton Bishop Project, a partnership between Herefordshire Council, residents, The Countryside Agency and Heritage Lottery, is aiming to find out more.
In Whitbourne residents have even dug up their own gardens in a bid to discover the hidden secrets of the past. The village, which sits alongside the River Teme, used to be a Bishop of Hereford’s Palace where he would retreat to with his entourage to mull over church matters.
As part of “The People of Old Whitbourne,” residents have learnt how to dig testpits for minor excavations. They will continue digging over the summer months before their findings are recorded and results collated.
Keith Ray, County Archaeologist with Herefordshire Archaeology, said: “These excavations are good examples of how local communities can work in partnership with various groups including Herefordshire Council to discover more about the history of their area and the history of the county as a whole.
“By taking an active role in surveying, lining out and digging residents have helped unravel a puzzling picture from past community life.
“They have also learnt more about conserving and preserving ancient ruins and artefacts.”