Service Pupils help uncover hidden histories of National Trust’s Attingham Estate.
Over two weeks in September, archaeologists led by Time Team’s Matt Williams worked alongside volunteers and members of the public to explore three trenches and several test pits. Twenty-nine pupils from Adams joined the dig for a day.
The excavations followed a geophysical survey across more than 1,000 hectares of the Attingham Estate. The survey was conducted as part of efforts to restore nature on the estate, enabling the National Trust to work with tenant farmers to create habitats while protecting important archaeological remains. The survey had uncovered evidence of Roman villas and an Iron Age homestead.
Suzy Watts, a former regular in the RAF and volunteer with Adams’ CCF, is the Archaeological Project Manager at Attingham Park. She gave Service pupils the opportunity to take part in order to foster a shared sense of stewardship and lasting connection to place. The initiative links to Suzy’s ‘Wings to the Past’ project, which provides archaeology opportunities for Service personnel and their families to support wellbeing and personal resilience.
Back in July, Suzy ran a workshop that introduced the pupils to archaeological excavation. They learnt about geophysical surveys, surveying techniques, finds washing and processing. In September, on the dig, they got their hands dirty – exploring test pits and sieving through the soil, in order to see the extent of a possible settlement. Pupils really enjoyed the teamwork as well as learning all about the Roman history in the area.
Artefacts unearthed included Roman coins, a decorative metal acorn, a military helmet handle, the ceramic base of a candlestick and part of an incense bowl. Finds from the dig will go on display to the public in 2026.
Haberdashers’ Adams is a selective co-ed state grammar school with boarding for boys.