Outreach

Alistair Douglas will be presenting PCA’s work at Bermondsey Square in a lecture hosted by LAMAS next month.

Date: 11 November 2025

Time: 18:30–19:30

Venue: Lecture Theatre G6, Institute of Archaeology, UCL, 31-34 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0PY

The lecture will be available via zoom as well as in person, click here to book

.

Alistair’s lecture will explore the full story of Bermondsey Square, from its earliest occupation to its later urban development, revealed through 20 years of excavation from 1998-2018.

The earliest evidence shows Bermondsey as a prehistoric eyot, with scattered pits and pottery fragments attesting to Iron Age settlement. Roman-period activity appears largely agricultural, though later Roman robber trenches and substantial ceramic building material, including opus signinum, suggest sizeable masonry structures to the north of the square in the area of Stevens Street.

Saxon traces include fragmentary wall foundations, small finds, and coinage which may be the first archaeological evidence for a middle Saxon minster at Bermondsey. By the 10th century, a small apsidal church had been built, accompanied by nearby inhumations, marking the site’s emergence as a Christian centre.

The medieval period brought the most dramatic transformations. Excavations revealed extensive foundations of the Cluniac Priory and its development into the Benedictine abbey of St Saviour, which remained a dominant feature of Bermondsey until its dissolution in the 16th century.

After the dissolution, the site entered a new phase under Robert Southwell and later Sir Thomas Pope, who constructed an impressive Tudor mansion with a double courtyard and a separate eastern range added in the 17th century. Later excavations uncovered a Presbyterian cemetery, reflecting Bermondsey’s unique history as a hub of religious dissent. By the 18th century, King John’s Court had been developed for artisan housing, offering fascinating insights into the area’s social history through archaeology, topography, and documents.

Our monograph Bermondsey Square: Prehistoric and Roman Settlement, Medieval Abbey and Post-Medieval Mansion Volume 1 is available to buy here

We had a great time at the Essex Festival of Archaeology last week! Thanks to Place Services for putting together such a well-organised and welcoming event.

It was great to be part of something that clearly struck a chord with so many people. Over 1,100 visitors came through the doors, the talks were fully booked (with waiting lists!), and there was a real buzz around the stands all day.

The feedback was lovely, people appreciated the range of exhibitors, the quality of the displays, and the enthusiasm from everyone involved. We’re proud to have been part of it, and we’re already looking forward to the next one.

PCA’s Senior Project Officer, Rita Pedro, and Project Manager, Judy Mlynarska, delivered a talk to Grantchester’s After 8s group on 10 July 2025, sharing preliminary findings from the archaeological excavation at 19 High Street, Grantchester.

The excavation uncovered substantial evidence of Saxon occupation, including several structures or ‘halls’ constructed using a variety of techniques: post-built, post-in-trench, and beam slot. A cooking pit or hearth was identified, along with numerous pits and both boundary and enclosure ditches. Notable finds included two decorated needles or dress pins, and a rare fragment of an amber bead.

The event was warmly received, with organisers describing it as “such an amazing evening,” and praising “a wonderful and interesting presentation.”

Recent archaeological work by PCA at Saxon Fields in Woodton, Norfolk, uncovered the remains of a Bronze Age ring ditch, evidence of a funerary monument long since ploughed away at ground level. The excavation was carried out in advance of a new housing development by Crocus Homes, who invited pupils from nearby Woodton Primary School to visit the site and learn more about the discoveries.

The children were shown how archaeologists identify and record features like the ring ditch, and had the chance to explore the site with the team and ask questions. Short talks on the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and funerary monuments were given by Project manager Peter, Supervisor Naomi and archaeologist Conor, who also escorted the teachers and children safely around the site, whilst the children looked for archaeological finds on the surface. For many, it was their first encounter with archaeology in the real world, not in a textbook or museum, but in the place they live.

The visit formed part of a broader commitment to community engagement. Crocus Homes were keen to make the archaeology accessible, and to give local people a sense of connection to the history beneath their village. The ring ditch may once have marked a burial or ceremonial space. Though subtle now, its discovery adds a new layer to the story of the area and for the pupils, offered a memorable glimpse into its deeper past.

PCA is pleased to work with developers who recognise the value of archaeology in planning and heritage-informed development, and who are willing to support opportunities like this for public learning.

Read more via Crocus Homes:
https://www.crocushomes.co.uk/news/bringing-history-to-life-at-saxon-fields-woodtonbringing-history-to-life-at-saxon-fields-woodton/

Back in May, field archaeologists Luke Hall and Anna Robson from PCA Durham had the pleasure of visiting St Helen’s Primary School in Hartlepool to talk about the excavations taking place on their school field ahead of construction of a new school building.

Luke and Anna led a whole-school assembly and delivered an in-depth object-handling session to Years 5 and 6. They shared site photographs, real artefacts, and historical sources to show the children what the excavation was uncovering, while also passing on their enthusiasm for archaeology and why it matters. During the object-handling session, pupils and teachers got stuck into object identification, working together to identify a selection of finds and place them on a timeline from youngest to oldest.

A particular highlight was the enthusiasm shown by the older pupils, some of whom are considering archaeology as a future career, and the excitement of handling real objects and some of the tools we use, like our trowels.

We’re grateful to Galliford Try and St Helen’s School for all their help in facilitating these outreach sessions.

Last week, PCA had the pleasure of visiting St Thomas More Catholic First School to share the wonders of archaeology with their enthusiastic Year 3 students. Our archaeologist, Gareth Morgan, gave an engaging talk about the world of archaeology.

The highlight of the day was a hands-on session, where the students explored a variety of artefacts—from ancient pottery to a real dinosaur tooth! The excitement in the room was infectious, with both children and teachers eagerly examining the objects and asking insightful questions.

At PCA, we’re passionate about inspiring young minds and showcasing the value of archaeology in understanding our shared past. Seeing the curiosity and joy on these students’ faces reminds us of why we do what we do!