James Dyre

 

The first archaeological fieldwork at Chicksands occurred in June 1969 when archaeologist James Dyre was called to site on behalf of the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works following the disturbance of archaeological remains when a pipeline was mechanically cut east - west along the Southside of the Priory buildings and extending 350 yards to the east running under the ha-ha wall. It was cut to lay a new water pipe. 

 

The water pipe trench cut through the graveyard. The burials lay diagonally across the pipe trench with heads to the west, feet to the east. The trench had disturbed the graves in such a way that many burials had been partially sliced through. Since most of the bones had been thrown out of the trench by the mechanical excavator, many were buried under spoil heaps, whilst others were taken as souvenirs by the workmen.  A representative collection of bones was made and submitted for examination. 

 

As the bones had been collected from spoil heaps no complete skeletons were sent for examination. All of the pelvic bones recovered were male. One skull was found and this also appeared to be male.  A pelvic bone from a child between the ages of 3 and 6 was also studied. Overall, there were the partial remains of 6 men who Dyre states are presumably Monks, he suggests the presence of infant bones may indicate that the grave yard was used by neighbouring parishioners or by domestic help at the priory. Dyres section drawings indicate a tile layer overlying inhumations, but it was not clear if there were within or part of a former building. 

 

As well as bones an assemblage of Pottery was recovered and 152ft to the east of the ha-ha wall the foundation of a substantial brick wall was discovered. Dyre notes that the wall seems to have marked the western limit of the burial ground. 

 

As Dyres work was not a planned excavation, but only the results of observing disturbance caused by the digging of a pipe line after it had taken place it created more questions than answers.  

 

1983 Survey

 

It was not until 1983 that further archaeology work was undertaken. GSB Prospection undertook a survey at Chicksands but at the time, conditions were not favourable and the results disappointing. 

 

Time Team Dig

 

In May 2001 Channel 4’s Time Team were invited by Brigadier Chris Holtom, the base Commandant to investigate the Priory. 

 

The Time Team evaluation included excavation of twelve trenches around the Priory in an attempt to locate the nuns cloister complex. Geophysical survey, a survey of the landscape and a survey of the surviving building were also conducted during the 3 day period. In addition a reconstruction of a day in the life of a Gilbertine nun was carried out by Dr. Jenni Butterworth over a period of 24 hours, a full monastic day, examining the life and rituals expected of a nun living in the Priory. 

 

The Time Team report concludes that the area to the north of the canons closer remains the most likely site of the nuns cloister complex. Although, disappointingly no evidence was found in this area of medieval deposits or walls. 

 

Time Team did discover well preserved building foundations in trenches to the east of the canons’ cloister. Although, large in scale the buildings discovered are still significantly smaller than the surviving portions of the canons’ cloister . As such, their scale alone renders them unlikely to be the remains of the nuns’ cloister (which is believed to be larger than the canons’ cloister as Chicksands housed 120 nuns and only 55 canons.) The remains may instead be a cloister Garth serving an infirmary complex.

 

Time Team located their Trench 4 in the cemetery identified by Dyer in 1969 to the East of Cannons cloister. Excavation demonstrated that Graves were clearly marked out by tiles within an external cemetery. 

 

The cellars of the priory, examined by Stuart Ainsworth and Richard Morris reveal at least four phases of rebuilding, the latest of which is 19th century. They also noted that the builders’ of the priory appeared to be running out of money, as cheaper materials were used higher up the walls in the south cloister. The quality of build was also suffering, with a lower build quality becoming evident. 

 

 

Time Team Finds

 

Post excavation examination of the skeletal material was conducted by Dr Alice Roberts. The bones recovered represented around 80% of an older individual, with about 30% of a younger individual, one vertebra of an infant and one fragment of an animal femur. 

 

The analysis concluded that the remains of the older individual were female.  Along with the burials discovered in 1969 both male and female burials have now been recovered from the monastic cemetery, confirming that no segregation appears to have been imposed between genders after death.  This is in contrast to the segregation of genders within the living Gilbertine community. 

 

99 sherds of pottery were recovered, weighting a total of 1259 grams. The pottery was dated as predominantly from the 10 - 11th centuries to the 18th century, although a single example of a Roman vessel was found, as well as later, modern pottery in the upper levels and top soils. Most of the pottery, 51.5% is late medieval in date and probably originates in the period of the Priory’s dissolution. The earlier material although sparse does indicate the types of pottery in use at the time of the Priory’s existence. 

 

Most of the pottery may be regarded as local or regional, and domestic in nature. A number of major regional kilns, such as Harrold, Brill/Boarstall and possibly Flitwick, were supplying the priory throughout its life. More distant sources are Stamford and St. Albans. 

 

The fieldwork conducted at Chicksands has enhanced our understanding of the Priory and the Gilbertine Order. There is the potential for more to be learnt through additional excavation in the future. 

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