Archaeology@Agincourt
The Agincourt Battlefield Archaeology Project
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS
Soil Test Pit 2002
In 2002 permission was granted to carry out the excavation of a small test pit near to the calvary enclosure. This was undertaken in order to assess the depth and type of the topsoil that covered the battlefield. No further excavations were undertaken at that time.
Augur testing 2007
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In 2007 a series of 4cm diameter auger holes were drilled around and within the village of Azincourt in order to evaluate the depths of certain soils and features.
Exacavations 2007
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In 2007 a series of very small excavations were undertaken in order to investigate features observed in the geophysical survey results. The deepest of these (Intervention 1) was excavated in order to find the cause of the large 'ferrous spike'shown between grids 11 and 12 on the Fluxgate Gradiometer survey.
Plan showing the locations of interventions
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In 2007 a series of interventions (augur hole and excavations) were undertaken in order to investigate features observed in the geophysical survey results. Note: The extent and size of these excavatuions were limited by agreement with the DRAC.
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Intervention 1 was excavated in the centre of the calvary enclosure in an attempt to locate evidence of Woodford's excavations
Intervention 2 was excavated to investigate the large ferrous anomaly as shown on the fluxgate gradiometer survey. Intervention 3 was excavated to investigate a collection of stones appearing in the grass at the enrance to the enclosure of the calvary.
Intervention 4 was excavated to investigate one of the linear features that formed the large rectangle on the fluxgate gradiometer survey.
Intervention 5 was excavated to check that the linear feature highlighted as a reason for Intervention 4 had not been missed.
Intervention 6 was excavated to investigate one of the linear features on the fluxgate gradiometer survey.
Intervention 7 was excavated to investigate one area of high resistance in enclosure.
Intervention 8 was excavated to investigate one area of high resistance in enclosure.​
Intervention 9 was excavated to investigate one of the linear features that formed the large rectangle on the fluxgate gradiometer survey.
Intervention 10 was excavated to investigate the foundations of the calvary pedestal.
Intervention 1
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A two metre square excavation located in the centre of the calvary enclosure in an attempt to locate evidence of Woodford's excavations. The excavation revealed soil that had been disturbed by the roots of trees and undergrowth but no signs of earlier excavation. Due to DRAC restrictions the intervention was not excavated to a greater depth.
Intervention 2
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A two metre square excavation located just to the north of the calvary enclosure in an attempt to understand the cause of the large anomaly on the magentic survey. The excavation revealed a large pit excavated around a broken off steel drilling rig pipe.
Intervention 3
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A large excavation located at the entrance of the calvary enclosure where large stones could be seen lying just beneath the surface. The excavation revealed a collection of bricks, flints and cut stones arranged in a linear arrangement. The large stones had small square holes in them which contained traces of molten lead formerly used to support and retain upright metal posts. These represented either the former gateway to the enclosure or possibly even the former entrance to the demolished chapel. Examples of other chapels can be seen as parallels as to what the Chapel of Gascogne might once have looked like.
Intervention 3
A large excavation located at the entrance of the calvary enclosure where lrgae stones could be seen lying just beneath the surface. The excavation revealed a collection of bricks, flints and cut stones arranged in a linear arrangement. The large stones had small square holes in them which contained traces of molten lead formerly used to support and retain upright metal posts. These represented either the former gateway to the enclosure or possibly even the former entrance to the demolished chapel. Examples of other chapels can be seen as parallels as to what the Chapel of Gascogne might once have looked like.
Interventions 4 & 5
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A linear trench and a smaller test pit were located to the north of both the calvary and intervention 2 in an attempt to understand the results of the linear anomalies seen in the earth resistance survey. The excavations revealed a band of firmer soil in the centre of the trench which appeared to match the location of one of the linear anomalies on the earth resistance survey, initially thought to be some form of boundary or structure. The smaller test pit (Int5) was located to check the soil depth in this location. No evidence of any building material such as brick or stone was found at either intervention.
Interventions 6
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A linear trench was located in the southwest corner of the calvary enclosure in an attempt to understand one of the linear anomalies seen in the geophysical survey data. The excavation revealed a distinct difference between the topsoil and subsoil but little else. No evidence of any archaeological changes to the soils could be discerned. It is worth noting that the subsoil was not clear of mottling and discolouration. This was generally put down to the disturbance due to the growth and decay of roots. It is possible, however, that this subsoil had been removed and replaced as a single large but disturbed deposit.
Interventions 7
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A linear trench was located in the southeast part of the calvary enclosure in an attempt to understand one of the linear anomalies seen in the geophysical survey data. The excavation revealed a distinct difference between the topsoil and subsoil but little else. No evidence of any archaeological changes to the soils could be discerned. It is worth noting that the subsoil was not clear of mottling and discolouration. This was generally put down to the disturbance due to the growth and decay of roots. It is possible, however, that this subsoil had been removed and replaced as a single large but disturbed deposit.
Interventions 8
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A test pit was located in the southeast part of the calvary enclosure in an attempt to understand one of the linear anomalies seen in the geophysical survey data. The excavation revealed a distinct difference between the topsoil and subsoil but little else. No evidence of any archaeological changes to the soils could be discerned. It is worth noting that the subsoil was not clear of mottling and discolouration. This was generally put down to the disturbance due to the growth and decay of roots. It is possible, however, that this subsoil had been removed and replaced as a single large but disturbed deposit.
Interventions 9
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A test pit was located in the most north-westly area under investigation in an attempt to understand the results of the linear anomalies seen in the earth resistance survey. No evidence of any feature was found in this location.
Interventions 10
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A test pit was located at the foot of the southern side of the calvary pedestal in an attempt to examine the foundations of the structure. The excavation revealed a single layer of bricks laid on their side and mortared together. Below these there was a compact layer of topsoil. No other archaeological evidence was observed.
