Training: Cley next the Sea
22/07/2016 | 5 p.m.
Cley next the Sea, Norfolk
Black Joy Fort? Cley next the Sea, Norfolk
Places limited to 25 people
Norfolk HER: 33214
The site of the possible Black Joy Fort is believed to be an extension made by Edmund Yorke c.1580 to an existing fortification to strengthen the coastal defences of Norfolk against the Spanish Armada. A fort appears on maps dating from 1588 and its radical design would, upon completion, have made it the first example of such a radical 6 pointed star shaped design in England. Whilst the full completion of the original plans is doubtful, there still remain raised earthworks outlining a potential structure that once lay on the bank of the River Glavens original course.
First mapped in 1950 (with the remains of a stone wall and brick floor noted and mapped) the site was believed lost after a storm surge in 1953. A visit to the site in 2003 found that whilst the masonry found in 1950 was gone, the earthworks were still visible. The RCZAS undertaken 2004 produced a sketch plan of the site noting it measured c.170m x 50m.
But what are these earthworks part of? Are they remnants of the fabled Black Joy fort or are they related to other structures, possibly old sea defences? Hopefully our weekend on site will answer these questions.
Over the course of the weekend the team will run a classroom session on Firday to familiarise people with the archaeology of the local area and discuss the relevent recording techniques we'll be using on site.
On the Saturday and Monday we'll be on site undertaking various types of recording and fieldwalking activity. Sunday will see the team at the Cley Church Fete delivering lectures from the back of the van!
CITiZAN will undertake a total station survey of the site in order to accurately record the extent of the visible earthworks. We will update the record for the site on our interactive coastal map with photographs and new measurement information as well as fieldwalking the site to establish its true extend to the south. The data gathered will aid in the development of a 3D model of the site used for educational purposes with volunteers and made publicly available via www.citizan.org.uk
Friday 22nd July, 5 - 8pm: Introduction to CITiZAN project
A classroom based session at Cley Marshes Nature Reserve (refreshments included)
The Armada forts and the changing coastline of Cley
The archaeology of Norfolks coastline
Archaeological recording skills and methods
Introduction to the CITiZAN Smartphone App
Health and Safety briefing
Saturday 23rd Juy, 10am - 4pm: Lectures on the beach, Cley Beach
To coincide with local events at the Cley Church Fete the CITiZAN team will be delivering mini lectures on local coastal archaeology from the CITiZAN van at Cley Beach
Sunday 24th July, all day: Fieldwork Day 1
Site walkover
Survey of the earthworks using Total Station
Monday 25th July, 10am - 4pm: Fieldwork Day 2
Continuiing the site survey
Fieldwalking on the surrounding foreshore adding and updating nearby archaeological features with the CITiZAN App
All attendees will receive a CPD certificate and a CITiZAN edition Archaeology Skills Passport and as with all CITiZAN training sessions, there is no cost for attending.
For more information and to book contact Oliver Hutchinson on ohutchinson@mola.org.uk
