A HARD-WORKING team of archaeologists and experienced volunteers have returned for another year to dig up ruins at Oswestry Castle.

Members of the Oswestry Castle Community Research Project (OCCRP) have resumed their digging of the mound, where the motte and bailey castle once stood, for the fifth year running.

The dedicated team, headed up by site director Roger Cooper, are into their second week of excavation of the stone Anglo-Norman castle which is believed to have originated in the late 12th century. The original wooden castle however, is thought to have been much older as it is one of only 40 of around 1,500 known castles, named in the Doomsday Book (1086).

Since 2014, the tireless volunteers have spent two weeks every May and three weeks every September at the site and are currently on their seventh excavation. Out of a pool of 25 volunteers, around 14 to 15 participate in the project each day – starting at 9am and finishing at 4pm.

Robert Speak, OCCRP volunteer, said: “Our excavations have shown up to two metres of standing masonry below modern ground level.”

The team has collectively been involved in the recovery of many artifacts including door hinges, medieval keys, pottery and two metal cannonballs, among other treasures. This year the team has unearthed a clay smoking pipe with an intricate engraving of a crown on it. In previous years, lead musket balls were found that were “a flat pancake shape” after being fired at the walls of the castle.

Irene Thompson, finds officer, said: “ Anything found is passed on to the individuals who have expertise in different areas in order to interpret and date effectively.”

Alice Bray, volunteer co-ordinator, added: “There is a lot of paperwork involved with archaeology, everything found needs documenting.

“It gets drawn, photographed, recorded and star stamped.”

There is a lot of interest shown towards the project during the summer months with people visiting the site to catch a glimpse of the exposed ruins and historical finds.

“We had over 500 visitors last September,” Alice said.

After the dig, the hole is filled back up, with the team returning in September to continue.