BOXES of Roman and mediaeval pottery have been re-discovered after 50 years in storage.

The artefacts, originally excavated in 1958, were found by archaeologists researching for the Northwick Manor Community Heritage Project, a lottery-funded initiative to inspire people living in Northwick and Bevere to be proud of their local history.

It is hoped the dusty finds will not only paint a picture of Bevere in days gone by but inspire residents to take an interest in local history.

Derek Hurst, finds manager for Worcestershire County Council’s archaeological service, has been sorting through the three boxes, identifying and properly recording the finds.

He said: “This shows that people in Worcester 50 years ago were looking back at the past. They were interested in their local history quite a while before other people in the country were.”

The boxes, which spent the last half a century in Worcester City Museum stores, contained a handwritten journal documenting the dig, chunks of mediaeval pottery dating back to the early 1300s and Roman ceramics from 150-250 AD.

The finds came from a long forgotten site; a Roman enclosure at Bevere island, Worcester, that today’s archaeological team had no record of.

Historic environment record officer Sheena Payne-Lunn, head of the two-year Northwick and Bevere project, urged people who remember the 1958 dig to come forward.

She said: “These finds will help us interpret the history of the area so that we can create an illustrated heritage trail.

“It would be great if people who remember the dig – maybe they watched it as a child or read about it in the newspaper – could share their memories.”

Do you remember the 1958 Bevere dig? If so call Lauren Rogers on 01905 742251 or e-mail lr@worcesternews.co.uk.

NORTHWICK MANOR COMMUNITY HERITAGE PROJECT

THE heritage project, run by the Worcestershire Young Archaeologists group, will run for two years.

The aim is to engage and inspire local people of all ages through the historic landscape, archaeology and natural environment of Northwick and Bevere.

Events to engage residents include; Memory Sharing – the project will see young people from the local school and youth groups talking to older residents who have memories of the area from years ago.

Talks – a programme of talks on various aspects of the project, from wildlife to industrial archaeology.

Local schools will benefit from workshops on the history of the area and artefact handling sessions. Residents will be invited to have finds from their gardens identified.

Art exhibitions – ongoing art projects, photography and various other activities. An artist in residence based at Northwick Manor School will explore the local historic environment as inspiration for a number of children’s art workshops.

Workshops – the opportunity to have a go at archaeological fieldwork techniques, watch a geophysical survey and take part in building recording surveys. Learn how to research the history of your house or street or the people that lived there long ago.

For more information, visit worcestershire.gov.uk/home/wcc-arch-northwick, call 01905 721133, or e-mail spayne@worcester.gov.uk.