Invitation to Tender for Willersey Evaluation

Historic England are looking for a partner to explore (through targeted excavation) the context of two Roman cavalry swords discovered during a metal detecting rally near Broadway in Gloucestershire. Historic England geophysical survey showed the find spot sits within a complex of buried archaeological remains including later prehistoric or Roman settlement.

Though the find is public knowledge, reference to the exact location in outreach material should be avoided until after the site has been assessed, and statutory protection afforded if justified.

We wish to collaborate with an experienced archaeological services organisation who will provide site staff, an excavation co-director, finds and environmental processing expertise, and a digital recording system in use or in development. They should be based as near the site as possible, with demonstrable knowledge of the local archaeological landscape and preferably also connections/experience with local community groups. Proximity to the sight is crucial for Net Zero targets, and to enable safe and efficient transfer of finds/ecofacts/samples to storage on a regular basis