Prehistoric fossil and silver coins among finds at Wisbech

Volunteers from Fenland Archaeology Society (FenArch) have been carrying out the dig in the garden of Inspiration House - what used to be the Register Office, located in St Peter's car park in the centre of town.

The aim was to try to piece together the history of the site, which is known to have been built on since the 14th century.

The site has been open to visitors since Thursday, with the dig due to end tonight (Saturday).

Local historian Andrew Ketley, committee member of FenArch, with a display highlighting the history of the dig site at Inspiration House. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) Andrew Ketley, a well-known local author and historian, is among those leading the dig, and he has been delighted with what has been unearthed at the site.

He explained Inspiration House is the former St Peter's Church Vicarage and the current building dates to 1831, when it was built by the then Rector, the Rev Henry Fardell, who was the son-in-law of the Bishop of Ely at the time.

Andrew explained that Rev Fardell was unhappy with the size of the vicarage and wanted something better and more modern, and after trying to get funding from the church, he took it upon himself to demolish the existing house and rebuild.

"His records mentioned that the demolition involved both the main building and an extension that dated to 1741," said Andrew.

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Sonja Cutts at work in the trench where foundations and a pathway have been unearthed. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) The Rev Fardell records that the work involved an "ancient" building. It is unclear exactly how old the building was that he was talking about, but Andrew said: "We know for certain that buildings had stood on the site since 1252, so he could be talking about that original vicarage."

FenArch members carried out extensive research of the site, and also had geophysical surveys done to indicate the best places for trenches to be dug ahead of the week-long dig.

The first trench, which at first seemed to yield little, much to the disappointment of FenArch because the geophys had suggested there might be a deposit of bricks from the demolished building under the earth.

The silver coin is believed to date to 1305 - the time of the reign of King Edward I. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) However, it has since thrown up pottery shards dating back to the 14th century and also a solid silver coin dated around 1305, which puts it during the reign of King Edward I, who was known as Edward Longshanks.

Pieces of smoking pipes dating to the 1700s have also been found on the site, and in one trench, there are clear foundations and a footpath. The foundations are believed to belong to the former extension of the original vicarage.

Another trench also yielded another silver coin, not yet dated, that had been cut in half. It would have originally been a penny, but it was common practice to cut coins into smaller denominations, including halves and quarters.

Andrew was also excited by a piece of stained glass that was found in a trench dug nearest the existing building.

Volunteers from FenArch work to clean the finds unearthed at the society's dig in the grounds of Inspiration House in Wisbech. From left: Pat Sims, Karen Radenkova, and Josephine Fried. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest)

He said: "It is likely to date to around 1400s, so could well have come from the original vicarage."

The prehistoric fossil was a devil's toenail snail - or Gryphaea to give it's proper name - it dates back to the Triassic period and is between 100 and 200 million years old.

Andrew said: "It has been a really interesting dig, it has also been satisfying to have members of the public take the time to come along and learn more about what we are doing.

This piece of stained glass is believe to date to the 1400s. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest)

Fragments of clay pipes have been found in some of the trenches on the site including this pipe bowl believed to date to the 1700s. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) Matt Bullen works in the trench where a silver coin was found along with pieces of pottery dating to the 1400s. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) The Pooley family from St Ives were among those to visit the site to find out more of what was being discovered about the site. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) This ancient silver coin has been deliberately cut in half. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) This devil's toenail snail of Gryphaea fossil dates to the Triassic period and is around 150 million years old. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) One of the trays containing finds unearthed at the dig, items include animal bones. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) The cut away square is where pottery shards dating to the 1400s were discovered. (Image: Sarah Cliss/Newsquest) "We will be putting everything back how it was on Saturday night, but it would be really good if we were allowed to return and carry out another dig next year."