LISS Archaeological Group (LAG) is set to return to Colemore later this month for the annual spring dig.

This year’s event will start on Friday, May 27, and will last for two weeks.

Trenches and test pits will be used for confirmation of existing finds on the site.

LAG publicity officer Alan Horgan said: “There will be grand scale test pits which will be placed according to last year’s autumn dig.

“We will also be placing large trenches for the dig this autumn. The public are welcome to come along, but pre-booking is essential. We will also invite school children.”

Dave Butcher is LAG’s new chairman, after Chris Wilkins stepped down from the role. Chris remains on the group’s committee.

Chris held a finds processing day in her home, as LAG members went through the finds from their digs at Colemore last year. The items in question were washed, examined and categorised with ink for logging the item as archaeological evidence. This process allows members to fully understand artefacts which are normally found in such digs.

Chris said: “A total of 16 people helped, over two full days, to complete the initial processing of the finds from the digs at Colemore last year. These were mainly pottery finds, but there was also a small amount of slag, some small unidentified pieces of iron, some Roman brick and tile and various pieces of stone which may have been used for building or hearths.”

Some members of the group were also taken around Petworth Estate by Henry Wakeford. Henry was the ideal person for the tour since his father and grandfathers had been employed by the estate in their lifetimes. Members enjoyed his anecdotes, and archaeological and historical references, as well as his ancient maps of the estate.

Anyone who wants to attend the forthcoming spring dig at the Romano-British site in Colemore should contact site director Juliet Smith before attending.

For more details about LAG visit its website at: www.lissarchaeologygroup.weebly.com, or e-mail [email protected]