SOUDLEY Camp is a highly enigmatic archaeological site just above a meander in the Soudley Brook.

Although it has been surveyed by the Dean Archaeological Group, no excavation work has taken place there – until now.

Worcestershire Archaeology will be leading a community dig next month and is looking for volunteers to take part.

Justin Hughes, of Worcestershire Archaeolgy, said: “The lack of work at the site means that although we know what it looks like, we really don’t know what it is, what date it is or what it was used for.

“Our investigations hope to change that and to help understand the site.”

Based on the shape and layout of visible remains, Historic England lists it as a ‘promontory fort’ or possibly a defended farmstead dating to between around 700BC and AD50.

Other suggestions include it being a neolithic hilltop enclosure dated from between 3500BC and 2500BC or the remains of a small castle built immediately after the Norman invasion of 1066.

A geophysical survey has identified what appear to be walls underground and will be among the ‘targets’ for the excavation.

The fieldwork will take place between Friday, October 20 and Monday, October 23, and Saturday, October 28 to Tuesday, October 31.

Around 20 volunteers will be needed who will give three to four days to the investigation, including training.

The aim is to excavate three trenches and six small test pits; conduct a survey to better define the extent of the earthworks; establish how deep it is and whether organic deposits survive in the bottom; better understand the context of the site and the surrounding area; and to complete documentary and map research to find out about the history of the site.

To register your interest e-mail Justin Hughes at jhughes@

worcestershire.gov.uk, stating how many days you can give. Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.