To contact the Archaeology Group : Helen Jackson.  Email rosemount25@yahoo.co.uk or Tel: 01983 405158.

The Isle of Wight offers a wealth of archaeology to be explored and we welcome both experienced archaeologists and beginners to share in a wide range of activities. Existing skills and knowledge are valued but we are also happy to support members as they take their first steps into the fascinating world of archaeology.

 What we do

The annual programme includes talks, walks, visits, workshops and practical activities on local, national and international topics.

Wednesday activities

An enthusiastic group of about 16 members also meets informally for fieldwork, usually on Wednesday mornings. For updates check the ‘Section News’ on this page. Wednesday plans often have to be made or changed at short notice, especially in the event of bad weather, so please check the site on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.

Typical activities are small excavations, fieldwalking, investigating crop marks, monitoring coastal sites and geophysics.

‘Below The Ground’ Geophysics

For several years we have been using our magnetometry and resistivity equipment to explore sites across the island. These non-invasive techniques enable us to look for possible features – walls, ditches, banks etc – that offer clues to the archaeology beneath our feet. Potential sites might be identified by crop marks, aerial or satellite imagery or features on the surface. We sometimes respond to requests from landowners who are intrigued by features they have spotted.

We have recently bought a new gradiometer that will speed up our surveys.

Using GIS enables one of our team to examine possible relationships between known and suspected features, finds recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, geology and land use. This helps us plan where to focus our work.

Over time we aim to develop and share a greater understanding of how people have occupied and used the Island over thousands of years.

Bouldnor Cliff

The study of this Mesolithic site beneath the Solent by The Maritime Archaeology Trust is now recognised as being of national, if not international, importance. Our land-based support work has helped uncover some fascinating evidence, such as worked flints and wood, nuts and seeds, charcoal and burnt flints thus providing a picture of life 8,000 years ago before the Isle of Wight became separated from the mainland.

 Previous meetings

Trip to Yorkshire 2019

Based for a week in a lovely Guest House in the delightful town of Knaresborough, we were guided by John Margham round a range of fascinating sites.

The chapel in the rock, Knaresborough

The ‘Surprise View’ at Fountains Abbey

Day Trip to Butser Ancient Village

With our guide, David Freeman

Dartmoor Visit: April 2017

Based in Exeter, over 20 of us explored sites in the south eastern part of the moor, including Foales Arrishes, Hound Tor, Grimspound and Merrivale.

Hound Tor Deserted Village

Orkney, May 18 – 26 2015

Nine of the group spent 8 fantastic days based in Kirkwall under the care of local archaeologist Caroline Wickham-Jones. As well as visiting sites on Mainland we went by boat to Rousay and Westray and saw sites where Caroline herself has worked.

Stones of Stenness

Links of Noltland