To interrupt your festivities for a moment…I was very pleased to discover a report on the BBC News site, about the results of the research undertaken by Archeo Briton, from the excavation of the site of the Steventon Rectory. This excavation took place last year and you may recall that I wrote about it here.
Archeo Briton have now released some further information about their findings, and some of the conclusions they have made about the type of life the Austens lived at the Rectory. It does confirm, I think, what we thought to be the situation: that the Austens lived a modest, self-sufficient life at Steventon with one or two touches of luxury here and there. Below is a picture of some shards of salt-glazed domestic pottery found on the site.
Shards of pottery found on the Steventon Rectory Site ©BBC
There will be an exhibition next year, and a book is to be published about this wonderful exercise, Archeology Meets Jane Austen, by Deborah Charlton. I will of course report back. I’m determined to visit the exhibit and the book is on my “To Be Purchased” list!
10 comments
December 27, 2012 at 11:44 am
garmard
Will there eventually be a TV program based on the archaeological work and actual findings that may add a tangibility to Jane Austen’s life?
December 27, 2012 at 11:47 am
jfwakefield
I don’t know. It would be lovely if that did happen, I agree.
December 27, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Beth
Fascinating stuff…thanks for sharing! I am excited for the book and the exhibition. I can only enjoy vicariously since I’m in the U.S. so please keep us posted on any developments.
December 28, 2012 at 12:51 am
cathyallen
Ditto what Beth said above! (Thanks, Beth.)
December 28, 2012 at 2:46 am
cathyallen
P.S. Oops…sorry! Forgot to say: ” Thank you, too, Julie.” How remiss of me! Hopefully I won’t let it happen again.
December 29, 2012 at 12:40 am
jfwakefield
Lol, happy new year, Cathy. I’ll keep you updated, don’t worry.
December 29, 2012 at 12:38 am
jfwakefield
I certainly will, Beth ( and Happy New Year!)
December 29, 2012 at 12:23 am
Archaeo Briton
Archaeo Briton is pleased that you liked the update on the BBC, we are interested and take on-board your comments. We have put a small correction on our website in that the pottery sherds count is in the thousands and not 500. Our website will be updated for January.
December 29, 2012 at 12:42 am
jfwakefield
Thank you for commenting. As you can see, my readers and I are very interested in your project. I look forward to reading the updated website, and to the exhibition and book.
December 29, 2012 at 9:28 pm
garmard
I am extremely interested in this project….Still hope to see a documentary by the BBC to do with the dig in 2013.
Oh! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!
Phil.