12th century chapel revealed
AURA SABADUS
02 August 2008 09:20
It is a discovery which has astonished archaeologists and has set tongues wagging in a small village near Swaffham.
Residents in West Acre have always suspected their village once boasted an early 12th century chapel.
Yet despite some records mentioning the existence of St Peter's Chapel in the distant past, they could not find any traces of the edifice which was dismantled at the time of the Reformation.
Now, thanks to modern technology and dedication, a team of specialists and volunteers from all over the country have unearthed the foundation of the mediaeval building along with human remains.
Working with Steve Brown, a metal detectorist, professional archaeologists John Shepherd and Michael de Bootman identified the site to the west of West Acre and started digging at the end of last month
“He [Steve] noticed the slightest traces of mortar adhering to pieces of flint in a field near St Peter's pit and Michael and I followed up this sighting with a radar survey of the field,” said Mr Shepherd who worked for the Institute of Archaeology in London and is now looking to start a new project with Islington Museum.
“The results were spectacular. Not only did they locate the building but the radar showed that it survived in very good condition and was quite large - not a simple cell or room but something that resembled a small church.
The specialists who were joined by 25 volunteers from all over the country opened up a trench that revealed the outline of the building in its entirety. It measured almost 7m wide and 24m long.
“It was probably built in the early 12th century and underwent a number of changes in ground plan,” Mr Shepherd said.
Finds included a number of coins from the mediaeval period, window glass and the lead that held it in place, pottery and iron nails from the interior of the building. They have also found a human skeleton and believe there might be at least another five who were buried in the grounds of the chapel.
“One particularly exciting find is a large section of the south wall of the church which collapsed inwards, probably when the building was being dismantled for building materials in the 16th century. We have also found small pilgrim badges which indicates that the place was visited by pilgrims on their way to Walsingham,” Mr Shepherd added.
The archaeologist said West Acre had its own priory in mediaeval times. The priory which was Augustinian is thought to have been more influential and wealthier than its Cluniac neighbour at Castle Acre.
But their fates were different. While Castle Acre, alongside the A1065, is a popular and well-known tourist venue West Acre Priory is seldom visited. It has suffered substantial dismantling over the centuries - the dressed stone and rubble being removed along the River Nar which was still navigable at this point long after it had silted up at Castle Acre.
West Acre, however, can boast one of the best preserved monastic tithe barns in the country.
The excavation ended yesterday, but St Peter's Chapel will be on display during the West Acre History Fair being held on the Bank Holiday weekend, 24th and 25th August.
Archaeologists led by John Shepherd will be on site to show the discoveries and answer questions.
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