Two students on a dig

Campus excavation: Blean Church Field

Dr David Walsh and Dr Luke Lavan, Lecturer in Archaeology in the Department of Classical & Archaeological Studies, are currently leading a group of 30 Kent students excavating an archaeological site on the northwest edge of the University estate. For the next two weeks the group will be uncovering the ditches left by Bronze Age burial mounds, alongside traces of Mesolithic and Medieval occupation.

To observe social distancing on the dig, the diggers are organised into pods of 6 with their own tools, hand sanitiser pump, and own toilet, and they don’t mix with the other groups through the duration of the dig. Within the pods we advise 2m distance and in the office masks are worn, with rules on entrances and exits to reduce mixing.  office we wear masks and have entrance and exit rules, to reduce mixing. Doors stay open.

Everyone on site has agreed to the risk assessment which covers COVID 19 regulations

The site is available for visitation on Friday 25 September, 14.00-16.00. The site is located next to Blean Church, which is 10 minutes’ walk from the Oaks Nursery, up the Crab and Winkle path, just beyond the Sports Pavilion.

This dig has been made possible thanks to the support of Paul Dyer and the Parish of St Cosmus and St Damian in the Blean.

You will be able to follow the progress of the Blean dig daily on the site’s blog: ukcbleandig.wordpress.com.