A WELL-KNOWN archaeologist has announced that he will be giving a talk about the discovery of swords and human remains in land near Tetbury.

Richard Osgood, who is an archaeologist and senior historic adviser at the Ministry of Defence, will be leading the finale to Wessex Week 2023 in Malmesbury in two weeks. 

This year’s Wessex Week will run from between Saturday, October 14 and Saturday, October 21 and features events that celebrate the region’s history, culture and art through the centuries.
 
Richard will be sharing the story of the excavation of graves found on land near Tetbury and the stories those graves have revealed at Malmesbury Town Hall on Saturday, October 21 from 7pm.

Richard said: "The site was discovered by a metal detectorist who was surveying a field with the landowner’s permission and found various artefacts and informed the appropriate authorities.
 
“That led to us launching Exercise Shallow Grave where we investigated some of the site and found the remains of individuals, and a child, and it became clear that here was a site which was both Roman (43 AD until early 5th Century) and Saxon (410 to 1066 AD). 
 
“Two individuals were found with grave goods including swords, a buckle, beads and it’s clear that these people were considered important. 

"We intend to revisit the site in 2024 and continue our dig which we know the landowner is keen for us to do and we believe the site could give yield important information about the re-use of a Roman site in the early Saxon period.”

Richard is also the founder of Operation Nightingale – which supports veterans and serving military people who have been injured in conflict allowing them to participate in digs as part of their recovery.

He has recently released a book about this project called Broken Pots, Mending Lives: The Archaeology of Operation Nightingale.

Richard said: “It may be seen strange that finding remains of people and artefacts could help people yet there is something magical that happens around these digs.

"Veterans and those who still serve can find solace and support in the experience and team work which goes into any dig.”

Tickets for this talk can be found on https://wessex-week.org and are also available for purchase at the Tourist Information Centre in Malmesbury Town Hall.