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Foot and Mouth epidemic and archaeology

The Worcestershire Archaeological Service has been heavily involved in the Emergency Planning connected with the Foot and Mouth outbreak of 2001.

The Service provides:

• rapid consultations (seven days per week), to MAFF to avoid damage to known archaeological sites on burial/burn sites and in the decontamination process
• advice on mitigation strategies
• undertakes fieldwork as required (funded by MAFF)

In April it was decided to use part of the disused airfield at Throckmorton, near Pershore, Worcestershire to dispose of carcasses killed as part of the cull to prevent the spread of the disease. A search of the Sites and Monuments Record revealed a considerable archaeological potential on the site and it was agreed to undertake an intensive watching brief on the excavation of the burial pits. The Archaeological Service quickly became an integral part of the team working on the site - with contractors, MAFF, the Environment Agency and the army. As well as recording the archaeological finds, the archaeologists helped survey the site and provided specialist knowledge on soil conditions.

For further details of the work at Throckmorton, click HERE.