The Adam Park Project

Item Information:

Catalogue Number: See Report 19 p26 Source: TAPP Archaeology Surveys Location: No 3 Adam Park Report No: Report No.19 Artifact Type: Escape Kit Production Date: 2013-11-21 00:00:00 Dimensions of Item: See Report 19 Copyright with The Adam Park Project

Other Description:

Metal detecting in T7 at 3 Adam Park found a large return of overload readings in the vicinity of a young growth of bamboo. The metal returns continued and the dig team came down upon a larger collection of tin flakes and a sturdier tin container. Careful excavation was required in order to extract the fragile remains of a British military water bottle. The extraction revealed below a number of fragile ration tins which despite careful digging fell apart on the touch. A couple of examples were extracted as a whole item and dimensions could be established. Then at the same level as the water bottle a vivid blue enamel piece was revealed in the trench side. This appeared to be of sturdier construction and thought to be a modern deposit. Incredibly the item also turned out to be a WW2 water bottle but the enamelled blue finish had preserved the piece in total. Further excavation of the area including two new pits designed to work out the extent of the deposit proved only to reveal a pulley wheel and more fragments of tins. Eventually at a depth of 60cm there was little more metal being recovered and the test pits were filled in.

Historic Context:

The collection of military uitensils suggest the hole had been dug to hide a horde of particulary useful items that may be used for escape attempts in the future. Water bottles, rations and items of silver ware were indicative of hording for an escape