26th March 2015:

Last May and June over 130 volunteers supported by staff of Oxford Archaeology East were engaged in a community excavation at Fane Road Allotments supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The aim was to look for the extent of the western wing and to confirm the southern wing of the Itter Crescent Roman villa.

A range of artefacts will be on display at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery from Saturday 27th March until Sunday 12th April. The artefacts will include some of those found during the Itter Crescent excavations (2011-12), as well as a range of artefacts from the very successful community excavation. The finds on display will include Iron Age loom weights, Roman painted wall plaster and brooches that were worn by those that visited or lived at the villa, as well as many other fascinating objects.

For more information about the project check out the webpage...

This was the first community project in Peterborough centred on a Roman villa. It involved the local community in getting a great ‘hands on’ experience in digging and recording an archaeological site. During the community excavation over 130 very enthusiastic volunteers took part, and hundreds of school children and local people visited the site while it was under excavation.

David Crawford-White (Outreach & Learning Officer, Oxford Archaeology East) says:

‘The planned exhibition at Peterborough Museum will be an ideal opportunity for families and visitors to the city to visit the new Roman Gallery at Peterborough Museum and view some of the fascinating Roman artefacts that were found during this successful community project.'

Robyn Llewellyn, Head of HLF East of England said, ‘It will be exciting for everyone involved in this important community archaeology project to see the results of their work on display and shared with others. The project is a great example of how HLF grants bring benefits to heritage, people and communities.’

Oxford Archaeology, working with Fane Road Allotment Association and Peterborough City Council, received a £88.2k Heritage Lottery Fund Grant with the aim to involve the residents of Peterborough in a unique community heritage project.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 35,000 projects with more than £5.3bn across the UK.

For further information, images and interviews, please contact David Crawford-White (Outreach & Learning Officer), Oxford Archaeology East. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  01223 850 500