2026 Day 14 - "The best dig I could wish for"

By Finch Neville, Visitor Assistant and undergraduate palaeontologist

The final day. The culmination of exactly two weeks of digging and splitting nodules. 

Unfortunately, I had to spend most of the morning packing up my tent and other belongings, as I was to leave at midday. I also helped to clean the kitchen and social space we had been utilising for the past fortnight through the kindness of Adam, the owner of this excellent farm. Part of this involved de-frosting the freezer, which contained rather a lot of ice creams. Assisting in their consumption was naturally a very difficult job, but I am proud to say the entire team banded together magnificently. 

Despite the limited time available, some excellent fish and other fossils were found in trench five, before the excavator had to replace the topsoil and fill in the trenches. This site really is very rich in fossiliferous material, and I am sad we have to stop excavating it. 

Backfilling the site

For both their efforts today, and those made across the entirety of the dig here at Court Farm, Kings Stanley, the team ought to feel extremely proud. Many thanks are owed to Nigel Larkin and Neville and Sally Hollingworth for organising this dig. I would also like to thank everyone who took part for their kindness and support; you all helped to make these last two weeks the best dig I could wish for. 

the team on the final day

Well, that's all for now. What a fantastic fortnight! While it's upsetting that the dig is over - I am missing the experience already - there is always a possibility of further digs at Court Farm. Until then, as ever, stay tuned...