Below are links to the fieldwork and visits the society has undertaken since 1997, which contain dig diaries and reports from each. They are ordered by date, with the most recent first. They demonstrate the society's versitility and ability to conduct surveys and excavations to a high standard.
If you are a new member and interested in joinging in with the fieldwork (regardless of knowledge or experience), whether it is a survey, fieldwalk or excavation, you can find more details on our "Diggers Guide" page.
Volunteers are welcome to attend our excavations. Though we are only able to dig 3 days a week, the experience can be beneficial for those whishing to follow a career in archaeology, such as students, or for those who have a limited amount of time available, but who would still like to get involved in archaeology.
Remember that during the digging season you can follow our progress through the society's Facebook page.
Excavations & Surveys
Hilderstone on the Map
A project started in 2024 to investigate a number of archaeological sites identifed from LiDAR survey at Hilderstone, Staffs
"Chimney Field" Hilderstone
Investigation into an un-named building, potentially dating from 15th to 19th centuries, at Hilderstone, Staffs
Trentham Gardens: Ice House Survey & Excavation
An excavation of a Georgian Ice House in Trentham Gardens
Bury Bank Survey
A survey of Bury Bank Iron Age Hill Fort
Buxton Pavilion Gardens
A geophysical survey and evaluation excavation in part of the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton. It was hoped that we may discover evidence for Roman occupation in this area
Mucklestone
Survey and excavation of "Old House Field" in Mucklestone, Staffs
Audley Castle Mound
Geophysical survey and small excavation at the Motte (& Bailey?) Castle in Audley, Staffs
Norbury Manor Moated Site: Geophysical Surveys
Magentometry and resistivity surveys of the manor platform
Audley's Moat Survey
A geophysical survey of a mound in Endon thought to be associated with the D'Audley family from the 13th century
Norbury Park Training Dig
This training dig was conducted where the ground had collapsed, exposing a void which had been covered by a sandstone slab. The site is on the edge of the outbuildings to a Victorian house. However the house was built on the site of an earlier farm house
Hammerwich Hall Farm
The investiagtion of a field at Hammerwich Hall Farm. The field, lying immediately to the south of the existing farmhouse, has some intriguing humps and hollows which English Heritage describe as "degraded earthworks"
Hungry Bentley Survey
Magnetometry and resistivity surveys of part of the deserted medieval village of Hungry Bentley, a scheduled ancient monument about 4 miles due south of Ashbourne
The Bridestones' Geophysical Surveys
A geophysical survey of the remains of a neolithic burial chamber known as The Bridestones located in Cheshire near the border with Staffordshire
Slitting Mill Survey and Exploratory Excavation
Resistivity survey on land near Rugely on behalf of Staffordshire Industrial Archaeology Society thought to be the site of an 18th - 19th Century Iron Slitting and/or Rolling Mill
Colton
The society was asked to help with the location of Anglo Saxon village of Colton
Swan Bank Pottery
The excavation of an oven from the Swan Bank Pottery located in a private car park at the end of Clayhanger Street in the centre of Burslem
Pointhorne "Old House Field"
The search for a late medieval building
Cox Bank
Excavation of a Bronze Age Burnt mound
Pointhorne Clapper Bridge
A description of the clapper bridge which crosses the Croxden Brook near the Hollington to Rocester road
Tollgate Farm
An excavation of a Roman site at Tollgate Farm, Staffs
Garshall Green, 18th Century Squatters' Cottage
An excavation of a building at Garshal Green, Staffs. following a resistivity survey of the site
Visits to Archaeological & Historical Sites
Guided Tour of Big Moor
Tour given by Dr John Barnatt over Big Moor, an area rich in Prehistoric (and 18th century) features
Visit to Sinai House
The historic site of Sinai was first built on by the de Schobenhales in the 1200s with a stone manor house and a moat. The moat on its own is a scheduled ancient monument
Minninglow Chambered Tomb
A day visit taking in Minninglow chambered tomb, Bateman's Tomb and Fulwood house
Trip to Fishbourne
A picture gallery of the society's trip to Fishbourne Roman Palace, taking in Danebury Hillfort and the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
The Vale and Ridgeway Project: Excavations at Marcham/Frilford
This is not a SoTMAS excavation, but for several years members attanded a dig organised by Prof Gary Lock of Oxford University (a former SoTMAS member).