Amateur archaeologists have help discover new details of a Tudor mansion’s past.
Residents dug into the past at a free volunteer community excavation at Weald Country Park. Organised by Essex County Council's Place Services team, 24 people took part in a dig at the site of the former Weald Hall.
The Tower family owned sixteenth century Weald Hall until World War II, when it became occupied by the military. It was demolished in 1951 following a fire and we purchased the park in 1953 as public open space.
Funded by the National Highways Lower Thames Crossing project, the dig aimed to uncover the history of Weald Hall. Oxford Cotswold Archaeology trained volunteers as an introduction to archaeology as a career or hobby.
The volunteers helped uncover the artefacts during the week-long dig. A stone-lined sunken bath was discovered, complete with steps and a stone seat. This is believed to be of Georgian origin. Next to the bath an ivory or bone toothbrush was also recovered.
Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for the Arts, Heritage and Culture, said:
We’re pleased that the archaeological dig was so successful and so well received by the volunteers and visitors to the park.
As a Grade-II listed site, Weald has a rich and fascinating history and we’d encourage Essex residents to come and visit this 520 acre award-winning park and enjoy all that it has to offer.