Ive House: buried steps . . . and buried treasure!
Frank S, Ginny and Frank H returned to the scene of Frank S and Nick's strenuous efforts of last week. The task was to continue clearing and unearthing a concealed flight of stone steps!
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Steps 'before'; steps 'after'.On this sheltered slope in hot conditions we were soon up to working temperature and bracken, bramble, grass and debris gradually disappeared from the path surface.
Ginny and Frank S hard at work . . . guess who's swanning about taking photographs!
*The further up the slope we worked the thicker the covering of soil and grass until just beyond the fortieth step the flight changed from steps into a 'causey' path (picture on left).
*Archaeologically this was buried 'treasure'. A high quality piece of construction - probably 19th century with 'flats' forming the path surface and 'pitched' stonework defining the edge.
*We believe the 'causey' path continues up to the top of the field where a small gate gives access to a vehicle track.
Next week's session should see the rest of this beautiful path revealed, then it's on the stiles,drainage and revetment in the same area. However, as a reminder of how much work has already been done . . .
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| View down 'uncleared' steps. |
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| View up same section of path. |
Mmm! Impressive? Today's efforts were funded by a local donation.
