A community archaeology project was conducted in August 2022 at Whitburn as part of the Heritage Lottery Funded, Seascape, Tyne to Tees, Shores and Seas project.
Test pits were excavated in four resident’s gardens with a larger trench in the Rookery. The test pits recovered evidence of the 19th century use of the properties. The trench in the Rookery identified the remains of a medieval long house with a drain. This was on a platform significantly higher than the land to the south and indicated that medieval buildings were positioned along the street frontage in the area of the present front wall to the Rookery. The test pits and excavation could not have taken place without the willing permission of the landowners, the 20 volunteers and John Shield’s ability to facilitate the project.
Finds from the trench
Two lead tokens and a lead weight, see images below.
