Current Investigations
Investigation Invitation
If you have a field or a mystery that you would like us to investigate please contact us: fielddetectives@talktalk.net
"I think I've got something in my field."
Hoveringham, Nottinghamshire
The c.12th-14th century artefact timeline provided by the two excavations during the Phase A investigation fits well with the de Hoveringham and Goushill families, who were the lords of the manor at that time and their gift of Hoveringham church and land to Thurgarton Priory.
An emerging theory is that the stones, roof furniture and related building materials from this c12th-14th century site, were re-used in the 14th century to build the second Hoveringham church.
The investigation will resume in March 2025, when hopefully, the warmer and drier weather returns. Off the field research will continue. A full review of progress will take place at the Annual Huddle.
Hall Close Investigation Drone Flight - 19 September 2024
Langar, Nottinghamshire
On Saturday, 5 May 2018, the Field Detectives commenced the first phase of their historic landscape investigation on the Langar block of fields, situated to the southwest of present-day Langar Hall.
The three field surveys presented an opportunity to focus on the search for evidence to support a Romano-British trackway running from the Goadby Marwood ironstone industrial site to the Margidunum settlement near Bingham, on the Fosse Way. It would also allow us to examine the medieval landscape to see if any remaining artefacts could be associated with the nearby St Ethelburga pilgrimage site and to learn more about the history of the former Langar Hall grounds.
With the end of the historic landscape investigation in sight, there have been many wonderful discoveries that have emerged from the fields over the last six years, and they will all be included in the final historic landscape study report.
The learning from the surveys would not have been made possible if it were not for the trust, encouragement and support of Samworth Farms.
The Resurrection Rumble - the first time the bell has rung in over 150 years!
The Search for Stathern Hall
Leicestershire
Why is it so important to find this lost site?
Because it was the home of Colonel Francis Hacker, and one of the most significant documents in British history resided at Stathern Hall from the execution of Charles I on 30 January 1649 through to Francis Hacker’s trial of 15 October 1660.
A copy of the Field Detectives's 2023 report can be downloaded here
The Dalliwell Stile Investigation is now complete and the report can be downloaded here
Mrs Moo greets The Field Detectives on Day 1 of the Dalliwell Stile Investigation
Owthorpe Historic Landscape Study
Nottinghamshire
The Owthorpe Historic Landscape Study focuses on ten fields to the north of the village. The stories that are emerging, eight appendices into the study, relate to three distinct periods in time.
The first one is Romano-British, as it leads us down the hill from St Margaret’s church towards a spring-fed pond, through the small, wooded area and into the next field. The second one is of a group of Knights Hospitallers, who resided here in a large walled enclosure during the 13th and mid-14th century. Finally, and not surprisingly, it is the story of the landscape that was once home to Parliamentarian John Hutchinson and his wife, Lucy.
Click image to enlarge
The Sutton Roadside Mystery
With the kind offer of permission from the landowner and family, The Field Detectives, and the Granby cum Sutton History Group came together to see if they could solve the timeline mystery of a site where a windmill once stood.
The geophysical survey was conducted over two days; Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th August 2024 and the results were amazing. As you can see from the two images, there is a moat, a possible bridge into the site and some potential stone buildings.
Granby cum Sutton history group have produced their research document following the success of the geophysical survey and a full copy of the report can be downloaded here
Aileen and Peter’s geophysical survey report can be downloaded here
Another exciting collaboration
Click images to enlarge
All Trackways Lead to the Field Chapel
Cropwell Butler, Nottinghamshire
The ancient Cotgrave to Saxondale trackway investigation focuses on three periods of history that could potentially help us unlock a growing list of uncertainties relating to our historic landscape study findings at both Cropwell Butler and Owthorpe. The trackways that appear to originate from the medieval chapel of St Nicholas at Cropwell Butler (demolished) have produced early medieval and Romano British artefacts.
The purpose of the investigation is to carry out a methodical field survey on the fields adjacent to the line of the ancient Cotgrave to Saxondale trackway, the Cropwell Butler parish boundary, and related landscape trackways.
The question is, do they all have a landscape connection to the Cropwell Butler field chapel?
Maps showing location of the field chapel
Click to enlarge
Prehistoric Activity Along the Saltway
Fellow Field Detectives Drs Alan & Sylvia Massey, have been collecting flint artefacts from fields in the Vale of Belvoir for over twenty years, and digitised copies of the reports detailing their findings are now free to download.
1. Prehistoric Activity Along the Saltway
2. Prehistoric finds from Scalford, Wycombe and Goadby Marwood Part 1
3. Prehistoric finds from Scalford, Wycombe and Goadby Marwood Part 2
4. Prehistoric finds from Scalford, Wycombe and Goadby Marwood Part 3
What Do You See?
Pareidolia is a phenomenon where people perceive likenesses on random images such as faces, animals, or objects on clouds and rock formations, including flints. From Alan Massey’s collection of over 20,000 flints, we have selected sixteen favourites and challenge you to let us know what you see.
Please send us a message through the contact page, or at fielddetectives@talktalk.net
Looking forward to hearing from you…
