Malmesbury's Favourite Big Dig Finds Revealed
Last July, hundreds of budding archaeologists and residents took part in a project to dig test pits all over Malmesbury, in a search of the town’s rich history. Called ‘Malmesbury’s Big Athelstan Dig’ in honour of the first King of England who is buried in Malmesbury Abbey, the results exceeded expectations the amazing finds have now been on show.
Over Saturday and Sunday the 15th and 16th March 2025, hundreds of visitors again flocked to Malmesbury Town Hall, this time to see the site-by-site display with archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology on hand to provide explanations and answer questions.
Martin Watts, Director of Research and Engagement at Cotswold Archaeology said: “The diggers produced finds from every period of Malmesbury’s history except the Roman. We were particularly pleased there was a find from the period of King Athelstan and so many indications of living in Malmesbury across the centuries. We have been very pleased to support Malmesbury’s Big Athelstan Dig and the chance it has given so many people to experience archaeology at close hand.”
Kim Power, who led the Athelstan 1100 team organising the Dig said: “Malmesbury had great fun last summer and this weekend discovering more about the history of Malmesbury and we would really like to thank the site owners, Cotswold Archaeology, the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and all the organisations and volunteers across the town who helped make the Big Dig possible. It will remain as an unforgettable part of Malmesbury’s Athelstan 1100 celebrations.
Visitors were able to nominate their ‘Favourite Find’ and three finds in particular were strongly supported. These were a small medieval key, which probably unlocked a casket, a tiny Victorian terracotta doll called a ‘Frozen Charlotte’ and the overall winner – the single piece of Anglo-Saxon pottery unearthed by the Dig, a rim fragment from a cooking pot from the time of King Athelstan.