An archaeological dig in the garden of a pub in St Albans has been hailed a 'huge success' after unearthing Roman artefacts. The excavation at the Rose & Crown pub, which is currently undergoing redevelopment, was opened to the public from Friday to Monday, allowing visitors to witness the process firsthand.
Volunteers from St Albans Museums discovered medieval and Roman pottery, as well as tesserae and painted wall plaster, during the dig. Archaeologist Lucas described the event as a success, noting that it gave people a chance to see the planning and excavation process in action. He emphasised that sharing such discoveries with the public aligns with the museum's mission.
The artefacts, including Roman pottery and building materials, were previously undiscovered in that area of the city, according to reports. A handling table was set up for visitors to examine freshly excavated materials, and children had the opportunity to learn about washing pottery fragments.
The excavation was a collaborative effort involving drp archaeology, Minerva Archaeology Ltd, Verulamium Museum, Place Services, and Historic England. Minerva Archaeology will produce a detailed report on the findings, which will inform future planning deliberations.
Lucas highlighted that planning archaeology is usually hidden on construction sites, but this open dig allowed the public to see the process. 'It's happening all around us all the time because it's enshrined in our planning policy,' he said. 'So it's good that it's been seen and everybody enjoyed it.'
