Medieval village uncovered by archaeologists - and you can visit for the last time

Archaeologists working at Mount Edgcumbe have uncovered walls of the lost medieval village of West Stonehouse as part of a community dig at Barn Pool. The walls will be visible for the last time on Sunday, August 23, between 10am and 4pm, before they are re-covered for another year. A wealth of historical finds unearthed during the dig, organized by the Ships Project and Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, will also be on show.

The village of West Stonehouse was sacked by the Bretons in 1338 and rebuilt before it was destroyed in 1740 by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. Over the last week, the diggers have carefully excavated deeper, exposing walls – possibly the village's tithe barn or chapel – and working through soil that has given up clues of settlements dating back to the Neolithic period.

More than 200 people joined the diggers, working side by side with experts to unearth finds from centuries of history on the beach overlooking the Tamar. Organizer Mallory Haas described the dig as fruitful, with finds including coat buttons, sweetheart buttons from the American D-Day occupation, a Roman coin, and an Elizabethan coin. She said, "The range of artefacts we have found is just boggling! There's thousands of years of history in a small, packed area."

People who took part were interested in different eras: "Some are more excited by the World War II finds while others like the prehistoric period," Haas noted. Her favourite find was a small stone tool for grinding flax or grain, small enough to fit in a hand and clearly a personal item. "Some flint tools have also been found which shows how long there have been settlements here," the added.

Historical Significance

The discoveries span millennia, with evidence of occupations from the Neolithic era to World War II. The site's location overlooking the Tamar provides a scenic setting for the finds, with the backdrop of the beach. The medieval village of West Stonehouse carries a long history of destruction and rebuilding, as its eventual demolition by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in 1740 closed a chapter that began with the broader invasion of 1338.

The excavation also points to a longer human presence, with flint tools indicating settlements thousands of years older than the medieval village. Meanwhile, WWII-era sweetheart buttons offer personal ties to the American D-Day occupation, linking local history to a global conflict. The diversity of artefacts amazes Haas, who sees the area as a compact yet densely packed historical record.

Community Engagement

The dig was organized by the Ships Project and Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, drawing over 200 participants from the public to work alongside professional archaeologists. This community involvement was reflected in the varied interests of volunteers, as Haas observed. The public now has one final opportunity to view the walls and the collection of finds before they are protected once more.

Visitors on Sunday can view the walls from 10am to 4pm, and the organisers expect to display the artifacts as well. The event offers a rare chance to see the historical findings in person before the site is returned to the ground for the next year.

Perspectives

Organizer's Perspective

Mallory Haas, the organizer, emphasizes the fruitful nature of the dig, describing the range of artefacts as "boggling" and highlighting the breadth of eras represented, from prehistoric flint tools to WWII buttons. She underscores the site’s density of history and the varying interests of volunteers.

Public Participation

More than 200 people joined the diggers, engaging in the archaeological process side by side with experts. The community aspect allowed individuals to contribute to uncovering local heritage and to learn about the historical eras that interest them, as highlighted by Haas.

Historical Context

Scholarly interpretation of the finds is still ongoing, with the possibility that the exposed walls belong to a church or chapel, built on evidence of even earlier Neolithic settlements. The medieval village's chronology is well-documented, with the 1338 attack by the Bretons and later destruction in 1740.