IT’S not every family that can say they are living on top of a piece of newly discovered Cumbrian history.
Neil and Irene Armstrong have been living at High Tarns Farm in Silloth for over 20 years and their field at the back of the farm has recently been the site of a three-week excavation, led by Grampus Heritage and Training Ltd.
Mark Graham, the lead archaeologist, had noticed unusual crop marks at the Armstrongs' farm, following the group’s investigation at the nearby Holme Cultram Abbey, a 12th-century Cistercian Monastery.
Following geophysical surveys - and Neil and Irene temporarily moving the heifers from the field - digging got underway.
Over the three-week period, more than 50 volunteers joined the archaeological excavation and gradually unearthed what appears to be a medieval grange farm, possibly connected to the Cistercian Monastery.
The find includes an impressive 50-metre by 15-metre aisled barn.
The field of discovery, a 9-acre plot, was among four fields that had been surveyed ahead of the dig suggesting signs of Cumbrian agricultural practices from possibly 700 years ago.
“We’re really intrigued to find out more, we’re both really interested in history,” Irene said.
“Even I got trowelling with my granddaughter. It was very interesting.
Read more: Archaeological dig unearths 'fascinating' medieval history
“I got excited about finding medieval pottery – I couldn’t believe it, obviously it still has to be dated but it had a lovely green glaze on it,” she said.
Subject to further examination, the team also discovered an 'impressive' stone-built structure that could be used for drying grain – a ‘drying kiln which has never been found in Cumbria on this scale’.
“The kiln they have found is quite deep, it’s well underground. What we do know, it’s the biggest one they’ve found in Cumbria,” Neil said.
Describing themselves as ‘caretakers for the land’, the Armstrongs said it feels ‘amazing’ to be sitting on top of history.
“It’s crazy what they’ve found in such a small space when you think about it. We’ve had a few farmers wishing they had something like this in their field,” Irene said.
“It’s been lovely having both the volunteers and the experts here.”
The project has been funded by DEFRA through Solway Coast National Landscape’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.
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