Thirsk Main Centre – Site Summary
Fields Available
Entrance Field: Stubble, ground broken up and flat. Known potential for Roman, hammered, gold, Scottish finds and jettons.
Back Field 1: Recently harvested and in similar condition to the entrance field. Good potential for hammered finds.
Back Field 2: Same condition as Back Field 1, with similar historical potential.
Back Fields 3 & 4: Beans harvested, with sporadic bean stubble remaining.
Field 5: Rape crop, now disced.
Area History & Potential
The area has a strong archaeological history, including Roman occupation, with Roman finds previously recovered. There is also evidence of medieval and Tudor activity, along with previous Scottish finds.
All fields have been ploughed, seeded and harvested since previous visits, providing fresh ground for recovery.
One of the fields is crossed by the route of the historic Saxty Way, shown on old maps. This area has produced particularly good recoveries in the past and is therefore of special interest.
Site Facilities
Firm parking available
Maximum dig attendance: 50 people
Good range of fields and ground conditions
Freshly worked ground across the site provides excellent detecting opportunities
Overall: A historically rich site with proven Roman, medieval, Tudor and Scottish potential, plus previous finds of hammered coins, gold and jettons. The Saxty Way area is likely to be a particular highlight, while the recently worked fields offer fresh ground for recovery.
