Expert Leon keen to dig into Ludlow's past

But those worried about their lawns and flower beds do not need to fear – Ludlow archaeologist Leon Bracelin only needs a small one-metre-squared "test pit" at each location.

Last year the 42-year-old made headlines when he carried out a survey of basements and tunnels in homes and businesses across the historic core of his home town, a project the freelancer carried out in his time between paid work.

He measured and documented subterranean Ludlow at 66 properties, in the process rediscovering and recording for posterity parts of what was once the town's medieval drawbridge in the basement of the Wheatsheaf Inn.

This year he wants to conduct another survey, this time above ground and out in the open air.

He is hoping to dig as many pits across the historic town as possible, and will then analyse any artefacts found.

Leon said: "I'm working with the University of Worcester's archaeology department on my next phase of study of the town and have some students helping and getting some experience.

"Ludlow Museum Resource Centre is very kindly helping me in storage, analysis and my further research into Ludlow's archaeological past and the town's archaeological documentation.

"The next phase of my investigation is to conduct an archaeological 'artefactual' study of the medieval town, by examining the evidence from test-pitting in plots of the town that are in the historic core," he said.

"I am appealing to the town's public to have access to gardens, mainly in the town, as well as some outside locations for referencing.

"The test pits I am excavating will be one metre squared and will be easily filled in and put back to normal in a short space of time.

"This is a good way to examine the town's archaeology less invasively, without full excavations.

"I need to get as many test pit samples as possible and the public have been excellent during my recent subterranean archaeological project in allowing me access in their properties."

He said will not dig in any existing scheduled ancient monument areas that are already recorded and would require permission, and will put together his findings with a fresh analysis of previous Ludlow artefact collections dating from Victorian time to the present.

"This will help me understand the typology and chronological sequence of the finds," he said.

Leon has worked in recent years on projects in his native Essex – as well as in Wales and France – but said he was keen to find out more about the "ignored" parts of historic Ludlow, where he has lived for 20 years.

He said a lot of historical research in Ludlow had tended to focus on trawling through old documents about known historical buildings, rather then actual archaeology.

The two 13th century foundation "cells" of the Broad Gate drawbridge found in the Wheatsheaf cellars were a case in point, he said – apparently known about in the 1970s but never formally recorded by archaeologists.

Leon said that he began recording the historical contents of the town's basements and tunnels simply by knocking on people's doors and asking householders if he could take a look.

He said it was the first such survey ever undertaken in the town and had led to numerous talks and a blog of his adventures, which can be found at archludlow.wordpress.com

Anyone willing to let Leon and his students dig a test pit in their garden or on their land can get in touch with him on (01584) 873447 or by email at bracelin@jupiterrising.demon.co.uk