Note: This post was scheduled to be made public and released one year after the investigation was done, in order to protect the site.
The field team from Exeter University and Harper Adams University arrived on site alongside Earth Rover representatives and the senior member of the Ashton family. Before any non-invasive work began, the prayer sent by the Lord Bishop of Lichfield was read aloud:
Almighty God,
who by the three days resting of your only Son in the tomb sanctified the graves of all who die in the hope of resurrection:
grant peace and eternal light to those buried here or elsewhere, and strengthen our faith that both we and they will together rise again, as Jesus did on the third day, to behold you, our only true and eternal God, in our flesh. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Amen.
This text was read by the senior member of the Ashton family present and the investigation team, and was followed by the Lord’s Prayer ahead of the work.
Data collection mapped variations in compaction and subsurface horizon depths without disturbing the ground.
Equipment was packed down and secured when work concluded.
