CITIZEN archaeology came to Sticklepath recently with the first of a series of test pit digs by the newly formed Sticklepath Heritage Group.

Since its formation earlier in the year the group has elected a committee of five enthusiasts who are pursuing several themes relating to the history of the village.

One such theme is an exploration of possible earlier alternative routes taken by packhorses and travellers through the village prior to the establishment of the current through route that eventually became the main A30 road from Exeter to Cornwall.

With documentary evidence scant prior to the 18th century and the establishment of the Okehampton Turnpikes, the group seized an opportunity to dig a series of archaeological test pits, loosely along the most popular alternative route which might have taken a ford over the Taw below the Finch Foundry and, after crossing the Foundry Leat, would have emerged onto the current main road adjacent to the 1810 Methodist Chapel.

This building is currently being converted into a dwelling and the new owner kindly gave permission to the Sticklepath Heritage Group to use the garden as the site for its first dig.

It was in the chapel garden that around a dozen heritage enthusiasts assembled to meticulously dig a 1m x 1m pit in 10cm slices, or contexts to use the correct terminology. Volunteers were armed with garden tools, buckets and availed with suitable refreshment for the day. Each layer of soil was carefully removed and sifted, with finds set aside, cleaned and catalogued. The pit was then refilled and the ground made good.

The results of these digs have been a range of different types of pottery, dating as far back as the 12th century, from factories as far afield as the Blackdown Hills (the earliest examples) and North Devon and South Somerset ware from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Most of the pottery found in this first Sticklepath test pit was post 1900 but there were several remnants of 18th or 19th century clay pipes and some North Devon and South Somerset pieces.

Anyone interested in this project, or would like to go along and assist in or watch future digs should contact the Sticklepath Heritage Group on sticklepathheritage@ gmail.com