A key activity of the conservation project is archaeology. This will identify, examine and build upon the published results of previous archaeology.  The aim is to determine the layout and key features of the abbey complex, which comprises the following key abbey buildings: Abbey nave; Cloister; Abbey buildings to south of Cloister, and Abbey buildings to west of Cloister.  Note that the site taken on by the Evesham Abbey Trust does not include the choir, chancel, crossing, eastern claustral range, or the transepts (all of which are under the grass in Upper Abbey Park).

Dr David Cox, authority on Evesham Abbey and one of the Trust’s patrons, wrote in 1990:  “…much of the archaeology of Evesham abbey has yet to be uncovered, and the interpretation of that which has been found and recorded is full of uncertainties.”  There is certainly, therefore, significant scope for further archaeology on the site since little has been done since 1990.

Proposed work:

The work will focus on identifying the following features:

Nave:

• the location of key features including columns, the western wall of the church, burial sites and side-chapels;
• evidence of previous Anglo-Saxon structures;
• the location of the great western entrance. 

Nave/Cloister:

• the location of doors leading from the nave into the cloisters. 

Cloisters:

• the location of the “great wash place in the cloister” (lavatorium), and 
• determine the size, scale and features of the cloisters.

Abbey site as a whole:

• the location, size and probable function of structures on the south and west of the cloisters. (These areas have not been subject to any detailed archaeological investigation; and were largely ignored in previous archaeology.)

The archaeology work will be undertaken by a professional archaeologist. In addition, volunteers will work under the supervision of an experienced archaeologist, to look at the wider site.  If you wish to get involved with this work, please complete the form in the Contact Us section

There are a number of additional research archaeology options, which are described in the document that can be downloaded here.