Excavations at Cerne Abbey

Founded in AD987 by Æthelmaer the Stout on the site of an earlier Christian community, Cerne Abbey grew to become one of the most important monasteries in the South West of England. Shortly after its closure during the Dissolution in 1539 the site was comprehensively demolished save for a gatehouse, and the precise location of its buildings lost until archaeological work started in 2022.

  • Volunteers can attend for one or more of our 11 day sessions;

    1) 22nd July-1st August

    2) 3rd-13th August

  • We are charging £800 for each 11 day session. This includes food, accommodation in the form of camping and all supervision and materials.

  • Accommodation is camping, with tents and airbeds provided. The project will also provide all food and there will be a hot shower and portaloos on site.

  • For further details or to apply please contact Dr Hugh Willmott

 

The abbey sits at the feet of the famous chalk-cut figure of a club-wielding giant that dominates the village of Cerne Abbas. Recent dating of the figure by the National Trust has shown that the giant was an Anglo-Saxon creation, and it seems directly connected to the earliest monks residing there.Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey undertaken by the University of Sheffield last year provided the first ever evidence for the medieval abbey, and potentially its Anglo-Saxon predecessor beneath. Not only did it reveal an amazingly clear plan of the cloistral ranges, the survey showed that the buildings remained surprisingly intact with walls up to four feet tall in places.

Excavation in 2023 will start to investigate these results, with a trench located over the southwest corner of the cloister, which includes the west end of the chapter house and north aisle of the monastic church. It is also hoped that evidence for the earlier 10th-century monastery will be located beneath the later stone buildings.

If you wish to join us we are accepting volunteers NOW!