Tumulus at Aldridge

There is a mound at the cricket ground at Aldridge.  Mike Shaw asked WAG to  go and record it.

2/8/2001. WAG has at last got started. On a rainy day in August, 4 intrepid Archaeologists, Annie, Jan, Graham and Martin converged on a mound in Aldridge. The aim was to: It was difficult to lay out 20 metre square grids as the mound was about 2 metres high and there was too much distortion when using the tapes. More success was obtained by going to 10 metre grids and using the theodolite to set the angles to the corners. Would the survey, planned for the next day go as smoothly?

3/8/2001 The next day the same 4 intrepid archaeologists braved the weather which threatened all day but did not actually put a stop to things. In fact we were hoping for rain because the mound was so dry that it was difficult to get resistivity readings that were on scale. Eventually, the loggers' current was changed from 1 milliamp to 0.1 milliamps and that did the trick. Surveying 10 metre squares was done in no time at all.

Aldridge must have a better class of kid than most places. We had left some squares marked out with tent pegs the previous evening and we had noticed that the mound had been used by kids on their BMX bikes. When we arrived that morning, we found 2 tent pegs carefully laid side by side underneath a tree so we would see them. They must have been in the way of the bikers, but instead of throwing them into the undergrowth they left them where we would find them. Well done, lads!!

16/8/2001 A fortnight later we were back! The aim of the exercise was to do an earthwork survey. The problem was - how to measure a lump? Eventually we plonked the theodolite on the top and took heights along the radii ( at 0, 20, 30 degrees etc). From that we hoped to be able to draw a plan, contours and cross sections. We got halfway round by the time to go home.

17/8/2001 Today, as we knew what we were doing, we completed the radials and added some half radials in between (at 10, 30, 50 degrees etc). In addition, we surveyed some of the features on the mound ( there are at least two scooped out areas which might be erosion and 4 paths). We even tried some divining. There is something there - but what? The weather had been kind to us on both days and we all looked as if we had caught the sun. Who needs to go abroad? Come to wild and windswept Aldridge!

19/8/2001 We cannot keep away. Today we (Jan and Martin) took Emma to look at the sight. She counted the number of species in the hedgerow to try to get an idea of its age. We also explored local pathways, a ditch and wondered about the number of Willows around. Emma hopes to study the grasses next time (24/8).

24/8/2001 An invasion today! Jan, Emma, Sandra, Graham and Martin descended on Aldridge. We completed some extra geophysics grids (now 17 in all), did some divining and picked blackberries. Who said archaeology wasn't fun? Seriously, most of the physical characterisation of the mound has been done, we need to determine the level now from a nearby benchmark and then put it all together in a report. Watch this space!

27/9/2001 Jan, Sandra, Sue and Martin this time. We had some telephoned instructions on how to set up the magnetometer from Tony Habberley so we thought we would try it today. All our grid pegs had disappeared so we set some new 10m grids up north/south on a faithful Oak tree and we were away. 9 grids later, we were all sunburned and ready for home. The results were inconclusive, the magnetometer setup is quite critical so we will probably have more success next time.

July 2002. A quick visit to Aldridge to check the drawing. The groundsman says the mound is going to be flattened to make way for a new Astroturf ground, the Borough Archaeologist says not, but it would be interesting for someone to be there if it happens.
Remaining jobs are to transfer the benchmark, complete the desktop survey and to draw the earthwork survey.

March 2003 Finally written and handed to Mike Shaw for comments.  Copies will be available and, hopefully, a short report for CBA West Midlands.