Community Archaeology on the Mendip Plateau

The Group

Welcome to Community Archaeology on the Mendip Plateau (CAMP).

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The group, founded in 2009 is centred on Chewton Mendip in Somerset. Its purpose is to explore and research the landscape in the parishes of the Chewton area from both an archaeological and an historical viewpoint.

It is project-based with members suggesting areas for research. The activities include landscape analysis, earthwork and geophysical surveying, excavation and test-pitting, old map study, documentary research, workshops and standing buildings study.

A large part of the group's activities since 2011 has been centred on excavations of a medieval site in Chewton Mendip. These are on-going.

The Pottery Study Group meets weekly to process the pot sherds found in these excavations and to build a Chewton Fabric Type Series.

The Environmental Study Group, which meets fortnightly, processes soil samples from the excavations. Members also have the opportunity to do microscopic work on individual samples between meetings.

There is an opportunity for work in different sized groups or individually. There is no set meeting time, activities being arranged around members' requirements.

Reports of the group's work are published on the group's website- see 'Our Publications' page. Articles and papers are written and published in various journals. These are also noted on this page.

A subscription of £15 a year enables members to join in all the activities.

Wherever appropriate, the group endeavours to follow the guidelines for Community Archaeology groups as set out on the website www.isgap.org.uk 'Introduction to Standards and Guidance in Archaeological Practice'