Aligning the Past and the Present

An image of the Bovey Valley of old has really started to emerge and, while Reg measured up a livestock pound, Caroline and Janet paced out the edge of an ancient field. Using very subtle signs on the ground, the banks and boulders could be linked up to plot the edge of the grazing area. Even today, there is a small woodland glade in the same boulder-free area. Now, thousands of years later, deer browse here where animals were once kept safe from prowling wolves.Between the volunteer members of the History Hunters they have developed a range of survey skills to a professional level. Their landscape assessments are also in demand from other groups across Dartmoor, who are in search of Devon Longhouses and mining sites of heritage interest. Standing in the oak woods, Reg said “Caroline’s skill level is now such that the ‘acorn’ of Moor than meets the eye training has blossomed, she’s been invited to work on an international archaeology project in Africa!”by Matt Parkins To read more about the History Hunters research at Vinnimore farmstead, the site of this weeks' archaeological excavation, follow the links to the Vinnimore Diaries (part 1 and 2) below.  Also do look out for the daily field reports from the team, all this week.Medieval Farming in the Bovey Valley - Vinnimore Diary Part 1Gems Set in the Sparkling Bovey Valley - Vinnimore Diary part 2