The Unwritten History Survey
Embedded Files
A Community Heritage Project
Rescuing the Unwritten History of our Villages and Surrounding Land
History isn't just in books; it awaits discovery right under our feet. It is easy to forget that the ground we walk every day, whether a village garden, a paddock, or an open agricultural field, holds a hidden layer of human history, memories, and unrecorded events.
Our goal is to discover and map physical proof of earlier generations. While official databases like the Portable Antiquities Scheme generally focus on items over 300 years old, this archive bridges that gap by cataloging the everyday social history. It is these lost, everyday items that hold the real stories of the people who lived, worked, and shaped our local landscape.
Documenting over 2,000 years of daily life through mapped local finds
A 6th-century Anglo-Saxon gold clasp Officially recognized as a find of significant regional importance and acquired by the Newark Museum.
A Tudor gilt-filigree dress-pin head. Acquired by the Newark Museum under the Treasure Act.
While unearthing rare pieces of official 'Treasure' is always exciting, history doesn't need to be ancient or valuable to be meaningful. Whether it’s a humble lead token, a Victorian coin, or a Georgian shoe buckle, every single find is a genuine piece of our past.
A selection of our local finds from Roman through to Modern.
15 Years of Fieldwork
Having surveyed the landscape for 15 years, we are now bringing our parish history online.
This 100% free, self-funded initiative continues to expand along the Trent Valley corridor through close collaboration with local councils, history societies, and—most importantly—our supportive landowners. This project simply wouldn't exist without those who grant us permission to search their fields, paddocks, and gardens.
Together, we are building a permanent digital archive for our communities—operating with complete transparency and total respect for the land.
Discover the Story Beneath Your Feet
Discover the Story Beneath Your Feet
Whether you own hundreds of acres, a horse paddock, or an older village garden, you hold a piece of the local puzzle, and we would love to help you discover its past.
If you are curious about what history might be hidden beneath the surface of your land then please contact us to express your interest. We can arrange a friendly, no-obligation chat and, if you're happy, start exploring your land whenever suits you.
Explore our growing collection of cataloged artefacts by visiting the Finds Archive
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