Ancrum Mantle Walls

HARP, in association with the Ancrum and District Heritage Society (ADHS), will be running a two-week excavation field school from Monday 1st to Saturday 13th  September 2025 at the site of the Mantle Walls, Ancrum in the Scottish Borders. This field school is intended for those who have no prior experience with archaeological excavations, as full training will be provided, but we also gladly welcome those who have previous archaeological experience and are looking to increase their skill set and broaden their excavation experience. As we are working in partnership with the ADHS the field school will also provide an introduction to community heritage and archaeology, and how to work with local communities to research, excavate and understand their local heritage.

The Mantle (or Malton) Walls are the site of a former Bishop’s Place, likely belonging to the Bishops of Glasgow and dating back to the 12th or 13th century. Whilst no visible architecture remains, some upstanding masonry was visible on the site until the 19th century. Previous investigations, including geophysical survey and test excavation, have identified substantial built remains which led to the site being registered as a Scheduled Monument. Ploughing in the field regularly turns up medieval pottery and fragments of architecture from the building. Further information on the previous work on the site can be found on the ADHS website: ADHS - Mantle Walls.

This excavation field school intends to trace the extent of the medieval complex and investigate the surrounding area through field survey and test pitting, and will provide students with a hands-on experience of working on an archaeological survey and excavation. All participants will learn how to excavate to a professional archaeological standard, as well as how to record the remains by completing context sheets, technical drawing, photography and surveying. Students will also have the opportunity to work with various artefact material types uncovered during the excavations such as pottery, glass and animal bone during post-excavation. Workshops on a variety of post excavation techniques including finds photography and environmental processing will also be provided.

This course will include:

• Archaeological excavation using the single context recording system

• Site recording including technical drawing, context recording and photography

• Artefact processing including handling, cleaning and storage

• Basic site surveying, monument identification and recording

• Expert workshops by specialists

• Experience and training in Community Archaeology

Transport to and from the field school is not included but free pick-ups will be arranged between Tweedbank train station and the field school accommodation. A non-refundable 25% deposit will be required on your acceptance to secure your place.  Places are limited and will be given on a first come first served basis upon receipt of your deposit.  Prospective participants will need to complete an application form.

Accommodation

For those choosing to stay in the project accommodation this will be provided at Lilliard’s Edge Holiday Park near Ancrum. Shared rooms will be provided, and the park has an onsite shop, bar, and restaurant. All meals on workdays will be provided for you during the project, with catering duties shared by the group, and packed lunches provided for when we are out in the field (dietary requirements will be taken into account). The field school will include a day off, allowing participants to explore the surrounding area at their leisure. Local highlights include Jedburgh, Melrose and Dryburgh Abbeys, the Borders Distillery in Hawick, as well as plenty of local walks.

Workbooks/Portfolios

Each participant will have the opportunity to complete a training manual and portfolio. For an extra fee of £40 (GBP), participants will be provided with a training manual and portfolio that they will fill in during the course of the field school to take away with them. Individuals completing an Archaeological Skills Passport will have relevant sections checked off.

Application

There is no application deadline. Places are limited and are given on a first come first served basis. To apply for a place please contact Ian