Dig Diary

Day 11 UPDATE – The final trenches

Today the final trenches were opened. They were in the east end of the killing zone and ran from the base of the garden wall to the fence which marks the southern edge of the narrow strip, which the French had to cross in their attack on the wall. The purpose for these trenches was to allow metal detecting which would hopefully shed more light on the nature of the attack across the southern front of the farm. The first trench which was furthest to the east and sited on the corner of the wall produced a large number of French and British musket balls. The second trench which was further to the west by a few meters produced a much smaller number of musket balls. This confirm that the eastern side of the walled garden and the corner to the west was subject to heavy French assault, probably due to a gap in the hedge which allowed the French to pour in and which we investigated last year, while an assault on the corner would also limit the effect of flanking fire from the defenders. Overall, it is now clear that there are places along a killing zone which were witnessed to heavy French attack, marked by large number of musket balls, while other places did not suffer sustained assault. As with the attack on the corner, the areas of heavy attack probably coincide with gaps in the hedge on the edge of the killing zone which either pre-existed or was cut to allow a passage of men.

FINAL DAY

After two fantastic weeks of digging and discoveries, our excavation has come to an end. The team has been doing some great work and as Bobby said, “We worked hard, but laughed hard as well!” Everyone seems to have had quite a blast and it’s good to see such happy faces every day. Our team consisted of students, archeologists, veterans as well as serving soldiers from all ages and backgrounds and it was just great to see a mix of people come together and have a wonderful time. People really loved the banter as well as the deeper conversations, and had the chance to meet individuals outside of our own networks. The best thing about Waterloo Uncovered is that everyone who joins the project takes something away from it. People here have learned about the history at the Hougoumomt farm, acquired skills in archeology, lived the therapeutic aspect of the project, met the most interesting people and have made new friends. And it was not just the supervisors who taught their team members, it was also the other way round. We all learned from each other and it’s the people in the project who really made it something special. Read all about our team members under the “stories” part of the website to find out more about the brilliant team of Waterloo Uncovered 2016. I am more than grateful to have been part of such a moving project and thank you for following our work! Jeanne Bommeljé Graduate of University College Roosevelt Communication officer WU2016

Project Design Summer 2016

Check out the project design for our 2016 summer excavation season at Waterloo.

Technical Report Summer 2016

Download the technical report for our excavation at Waterloo in summer 2016.

First Week at Hougoumont

2017 Excavation Listen to our Archaeological Directors summarise the first week of excavation of our 2017 season at Hougoumont.

Excavating at Mont-Saint-Jean

2017 Excavation See what we discovered in 2017 when we opened a new trench across the road from the farm and former Allied field hospital of Mont-Saint-Jean in Belgium.

Excavating the Killing Zone

2017 Excavation Archaeologist Sam Wilson explains the work done by Waterloo Uncovered in July 2017 in the Killing Zone at Hougoumont Farm.

Activity Report 2017

In 2017 Waterloo Uncovered focused their work on two areas of the Waterloo Battlefield: Hougoumont Farm and Mont Saint Jean. Hougoumont Farm (where one of the pivotal actions of the battle took place in 1815) has been the site of WU excavations since 2015. Mont Saint Jean (the site for the British Field hospital during and after he battle) was a new area of excavation. This activity report covers our excavations, veteran support work and extra curricular activities.

The Battle of Waterloo

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="efda5c68-b09f-416a-8040-8b49b4ac693a" background_color="#582642" background_enable_image="off" custom_padding="150px||1px||false|false" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num="0" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="8dea5759-788e-46f7-9e78-f368b11c5cac" text_font="|800|||||||" header_font="|||on|||||" text_orientation="center" global_colors_info="{}"]The Battle of Waterloo Waterloo, can, with some justification, lay claim to being the single most significant day’s fight in European history. Other battles were longer, fought over larger areas or by more combatants, but none can be said to have settled a war in a single afternoon, and to have produced by their result the peace that characterised the continent for so long after 1815.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_icon font_icon=""||divi||400" icon_width="40px" url="#Explore" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_icon][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num="0" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]Striking too, about Waterloo, is the triumph of the great Alliance. Wellington’s was not a British army. Even leaving aside the decisive Prussian intervention, ‘the Peer’ led a force that included men from Hanover, Nassau, the Netherlands and Brunswick. Even his ‘British’ army included the King’s German Legion. This was the very essence of the force opposing Napoleon – Europe, together, acting against the man who sought once more to drag his neighbours into war. None of it serves to reduce the part Wellington played. In fact leadership of such a varied coalition demands great skill and tact. Napoleon’s escape from Elba, the gathering of his veterans as he swept through France, the final great levy to raise one more army, the headlong flight of the Bourbon king and the wild celebrations in the messes of British regiments who had thought themselves condemned to peacetime soldiering: it is the stuff of novels. More compelling still is Napoleon’s desperate gamble – strike North across the border, divide his enemies and beat them separately. He failed, but he so nearly succeeded. Perhaps, in his pomp, he would have done. If he had been well, if he had been better served by his generals, if the weather had held, if his orders had been understood more clearly, if he had not underestimated Wellington… Wellington. The ‘Sepoy General’ of Napoleon’s taunts. Hero of Assaye and the Peninsula, and yet dismissed by his opponent as a second-rate soldier capable only of little more than defence against crack European troops. And yet it was Wellington who selected the ground at Waterloo. The ridge at Mont St Jean – nothing much to look at, until one stands at the bottom and contemplates an uphill charge through muddy fields. Channeled between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte, the attacker must climb painfully towards the crest, enfiladed by artillery and giving ample warning of his approach. Reserves sit, unseen, screened safely in the dead ground beyond. And, when he finally closes to fighting range, those terrible rippling volleys are waiting, with wicked seventeen-inch bayonets to follow. Perhaps the wonder at the end is less that Napoleon’s men failed, but that they kept coming at all.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src="https://www.waterloouncovered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Robert_Gibb.jpg" alt="Robert_Gibb" title_text="Robert_Gibb" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]Of course, for much of the battle, the French seemed to hold the upper hand. The eternal triangle of Napoleonic warfare – artillery, infantry and cavalry, was skewed firmly in favour of the attackers. Napoleon possessed some 250 field artillery pieces, some 80 of which were ranged against the Allied lines opposite as a grande batterie. Threatened by French cavalry and forced into squares, they endured some terrible periods as roundshot carried away entire files of men. A counter-charge by the British heavy cavalry scarcely relieved the pain – lacking spikes for the French guns and over-reaching themselves, they wasted their strength just as the French had theirs. Meanwhile, on the Allied right flank, another grim drama played out – Hougoumont. A strong fortified farmhouse, the place was fringed with woods and perfectly situated to cover the approach of any enemy attempting to roll up the line on the ridge. It seems that the battle actually began here, though it’s hard to be sure. Wellington was under no illusion about the importance of Hougoumont, which was initially defended by a mixed force of Coldstreamers, Hanoverian Jaegers and Nassauers. Skirmishing in the orchard became a desperate fight for the perimeter of the farm itself, and then the celebrated breach, and closure, of the North Gate. To this day, the actions of Lt Col McDonnell and Cpl Graham, both of the Coldstream, are celebrated as the critical moment. If they didn’t win the battle, they certainly staved off the moment in which it might have been lost. After that, the French poured in attack after futile attack, with the defenders moving from the inferno of the shell-wrecked farmhouse to hastily-carved loopholes, and hand-to-hand fighting at the walls. Key interventions followed – the arrival of the reinforcements from 1st and 3rd Guards (now Grenadier and Scots respectively) and the desperate ride of Driver Brewster to deliver a wagonload of ammunition under a storm of enemy fire. At the very death of the battle, the fight for Hougoumont was still going on – almost a battle within the battle. Even through the high drama of the building’s collapse, with the wounded trapped in the burning rubble, their resolve never faltered. And, up on the ridge, the final agonising charge of the Garde and the dreadful, almost slow motion image, of Maitland’s division standing up from their concealed position, presenting, and pouring their volleys into the French ranks. It was Busaco all over again, and Napoleon had been warned. There is much, much more to the story of Waterloo than a few brief snapshots. And it wasn’t the only battle in that brief campaign. Wavre, Ligny, Quatre Bras – all played critical parts in the final act, as did the heroic, desperate dash of Blucher to shore up Wellington’s precarious position. All deserve their place in this history, and there is much more yet to discover.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" background_color="#A51261" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" global_module="23364982" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num="0" global_colors_info="{}" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" text_font="|700||on|||||" text_font_size="40px" text_letter_spacing="1px" text_line_height="1.2em" header_3_font="|||on|||||" text_orientation="center" background_layout="dark" text_font_size_tablet="36px" text_font_size_phone="28px" text_font_size_last_edited="on|phone" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" theme_builder_area="post_content"]HOW YOU CAN HELP[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" locked="off" global_colors_info="{}" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num="0" global_colors_info="{}" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_cta title="MAKE A DONATION" button_url="/support-us/donate/" button_text="DONATE TODAY" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="654c3fbf-44cf-4a6d-bb03-8108e8b66d8f" link_option_url="/support-us/donate/" global_module="23364746" saved_tabs="all" global_colors_info="{}" theme_builder_area="post_content"]A donation from you today will help us to support those who have served their country when they need it most [/et_pb_cta][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="default" pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num="0" global_colors_info="{}" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_cta title="FUNDRAISE FOR US" button_url="/support-us/fundraise-for-us/" button_text="START FUNDRAISING" _builder_version="4.27.4" _module_preset="ac48dbbb-98f7-4b5e-bc30-ad59e5445296" link_option_url="/support-us/fundraise-for-us/" global_module="23365607" saved_tabs="all" global_colors_info="{}" theme_builder_area="post_content"]From running a marathon to hosting a pub quiz to organising a bake sale, there are dozens of ways to raise money for veterans and personnel! 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Day 1 – The Waterloo Tour

Sunday was the first official day of Waterloo Uncovered 2017! After a long journey for many of our team members (many arriving en masse by mini van on Saturday evening), everyone settled in and finally got to meet each other properly: a merry mix of veterans, archaeologists, students, scholars, locals, detectorists, film makers and photographers. This year is a year of firsts at WU, as we have been expanding our already international team, with archaeologists from the States and also veterans from the Netherlands and (for a few days!) from France. Sunday kicked off with a briefing from Mark (WU's CEO), setting out the order of the day and handing out the standard issue Waterloo Uncovered t-shirts and boots. Then Prof Tony Pollard (our archaeological director, University of Glasgow) gave a 101 of the Battle of Waterloo, the "Battle within a Battle" for Hougoumont, and got the team up-to-speed on all of our discoveries to date on site since our first ‘ excavation campaign’ in 2015. If you would like to find out about our results for yourselves, look back on our dig diaries from previous years here, or here for all of our in-depth reports for all you swots out there! It is one thing to be told about the battle or to look at paintings and pictures. But the best way to really understand the circumstances of that fateful day on the 18th June 1815, is to get out there in the landscape and to see it for yourself. So, for the afternoon the whole team bussed out to tour the battlefield. [caption id="attachment_1876" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Prof Tony Pollard, ...

Sunday was the first official day of Waterloo Uncovered 2017! After a long journey for many of our team members (many arriving en masse by mini van on Saturday evening), everyone settled in and finally got to meet each other properly: a merry mix of veterans, archaeologists, students, scholars, locals, detectorists, film makers and photographers. This year is a year of firsts at WU, as we have been expanding our already international team, with archaeologists from the States and also veterans from the Netherlands and (for a few days!) from France. Sunday kicked off with a briefing from Mark (WU's CEO), setting out the order of the day and handing out the standard issue Waterloo Uncovered t-shirts and boots. Then Prof Tony Pollard (our archaeological director, University of Glasgow) gave a 101 of the Battle of Waterloo, the "Battle within a Battle" for Hougoumont, and got the team up-to-speed on all of our discoveries to date on site since our first ‘ excavation campaign’ in 2015. If you would like to find out about our results for yourselves, look back on our dig diaries from previous years here, or here for all of our in-depth reports for all you swots out there! It is one thing to be told about the battle or to look at paintings and pictures. But the best way to really understand the circumstances of that fateful day on the 18th June 1815, is to get out there in the landscape and to see it for yourself. So, for the afternoon the whole team bussed out to tour the battlefield. [caption id="attachment_1876" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Prof Tony Pollard, leading the way along the ridge.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1877" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The Lion's Mound[/caption] Starting at the Mont du Lion, Tony led the group up the winding walk along the ridge at Mont Saint Jean, giving a play-by-play of events. A key stop included the location where Wellington’s troops had famously stationed his troops behind the ridge - hidden from view of Napoleon’s ‘Grande Batterie’ of field cannons. It was also here where the Anglo-Allied forces famously ‘held square’ against Field Marshal Ney’s relentless cavalry charge. James, a serving soldier of the Irish Guards said: "This is the part that I most enjoyed - looking at the land and looking at the tactics from the point of view of being a modern soldier. It was interesting to hear about tactics that are still used today. Wellington was using the 'dead ground' here – a term that we use all the time – to deceive Napoleon, as he wouldn’t have been able to see what was going on behind the slope and direct his attack properly. Obviously we’ve moved on a bit in modern warfare (a drone would have spotted them in no time!), but I thought that was quite smart on Wellington’s part". Finally, the team arrived at Hougoumont, the location of our archaeological investigations and our ‘basecamp’ for the next two weeks. Hougoumont was the first place to be attacked in the battle, starting at 11am with an offensive led by Napoleon’s contentious brother Prince Jérôme. We arrived first at the North Gate, the site where the French made a breakthrough into the courtyard, and a desperate fight to secure the interior played out. Tony showed the team around the site, describing how the battle for Hougoumont progressed with bloody results at the ‘Killing Ground’, showing the group where the French cannons were brought up to fire on the Chateau, and finally entering into the chateau complex to explore the formal gardens and interior, which stood for many years in ruins but recently restored to glory by Project Hougoumont. With brains fit to burst and legs well worn out, the team headed home for a well earned drink, filled with excitement for Monday – the first day of digging!! Follow our updates on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram [caption id="attachment_1882" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Last stop - Hougoumont![/caption] [caption id="attachment_1884" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Only one of the three sweet chestnut trees, that was standing at the time of the battle is still living. All three are filled with holes from musket shot.[/caption]

Day 2 – WU Firsts! La Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean & the new WU Podcast!

[caption id="attachment_1908" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Phil Harding whipping his team into shape![/caption] The Day 1 Dig Diary stated that the 2017 field season is a year of firsts, and not least as this year we are digging at not one, but two sites on the Waterloo battlefield. Service Public de Wallonie ('SPW' - the local authority) are building a new roundabout just south of Mont St. John Farm (2km northeast of Hougoumont), and as part of our ongoing partnership, Waterloo Uncovered have been invited to dig here as part of our two week campaign. The farm of Mont St. John played an important role in the battle as the Allied field hospital, treating casualties of the battle of Waterloo itself, but also from the escalating battles of Quatre Bras, Ligny (16th June) and Wavre (18th June). The field hospital was based at the farm and handled a great number of casualties with contemporary accounts talking of amputated limbs filling every corner of its courtyard. According to one of the WU visiting historians (Dr Mick Crumplin), towards the end of the battle men of the Kielmansegge (Hanoverian) brigade and several cavalry units were also stationed there. Most living men who were treated there were eventually transported for more comprehensive treatment at hospitals in Brussels or Antwerp. However given the many amputations and probable deaths that occurred there it is likely that the bodily remains would have had to be quickly disposed of in the immediate area. It might be that we find evidence of this during our excavations at Mont St. John. Our partners at the ORBIT department of Soil Management at Ghent University have conducted a ground penetrating geophysical survey for us of the area, creating an image of possible buried archaeology. This has highlighted several intriguing dark spots and linear features, which could represent battle activity (some equally may be the traces of modern agricultural activity) – we’re opening up this large area as we speak and the results will soon follow! [caption id="attachment_1916" align="aligncenter" width="864"] Buried magnetic anomalies detected by Ghent University's ORBIT team.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1909" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] This year we are delighted to meet our new SPW field director Véronique Moulaert, who is taking over from our great friend Dominique Bosquet who has led the team for the past two years. Veronique will be heading up the team at Mont St. John.[/caption] Back at our usual stomping ground of Hougoumont, it was business as usual on the first day, kicking off with a quick fire introduction to archaeological methods for our new budding archaeologists. Following a quick safety briefing by field director Cornelius Barton of L - P : Archaeology, the group was separated out into their 6-men-and-women-strong trench teams - their 'archaeological family’ for the next two weeks! Each one of these teams is headed up by our skilled and experienced trench supervisors – Emily, Satsuki, James, Phil, and Sam. In proper speed dating style, each team circulated around a supervisor station for a 20 minute guide on a specific element of archaeological excavation and recording. Phil focused on the basics of stratigraphy, looking at what we mean by an archaeological ‘context’, how archaeological layers are deposited and the importance of digging things in the correct order. Satsuki’s segment taught the team how to use pythagoras to set out a perfectly right angled trench area. Sam looked at the process of ‘opening up’ trench areas, how we identify archaeological features in the ground, how we clean them up to prepare for recording and photography, and then how we excavate. Emily looked at archaeological photography – how to set up the perfect photograph, carefully framed and with the appropriate scales. James’s how-to looked at how we make records using plans and sections and specific archaeological drawing conventions. With all that in mind the digging was off! [caption id="attachment_1900" align="aligncenter" width="665"] Michael holding some musket balls from the Killing Zone.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1901" align="aligncenter" width="665"] A musket flint, found with a lead sheath.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1902" align="aligncenter" width="1182"] Metal detecting findspots in the Killing Zone.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1907" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Steve and Phil opening up new trenches inside the Hougoumont Chateau courtyard.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1917" align="aligncenter" width="1182"] Finds officer Hillery, showing the team some of the interesting finds from the day![/caption] Take a look at our PROJECT DESIGN here to find out what our research questions for each area are for the 2017 season or click here to listen to our first ever Waterloo Uncovered PODCAST, with Professor Tony Pollard and David Ulk, an ex RAF healthcare professional and our present welfare officer for the project. [x_video_embed type="16:9"][/x_video_embed]

Day 3 – Different perspectives

[caption id="attachment_1931" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Fritz, a Dutch veteran hard at work in the formal gardens.[/caption] Yesterday on our first day of digging, the first trenches to be opened were in the “Killing Zone”. The Killing Zone has been a key area of investigation for the past three years, as the site that reportedly saw the most intense fighting in the battle for Hougoumont. An open area of land in front of the garden wall, separated by a decorative hedge line, the French advancing from the south found themselves trapped here as they tried in vain to breach the wall. [caption id="attachment_1932" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Aerial photograph, showing all the trenches to date in the Killing Zone and elsewhere at Hougoumont.[/caption] Each field season has seen us systematically open up strips (roughly 30 metres in length and 5 metres wide), which are littered with Allied and French lead musket balls, pistol balls and artillery shot buried just underneath the surface. These are easy pickings for our expert detectorists, who place flags to pinpoint the location - red signifying iron, and yellow for higher grade metal. Following this, a team member will excavate the find, and record its location using top notch survey equipment, kindly loaned to us by Opti-Cal. To date we have excavated 9 trenches in ‘spits’ across the area to get a broad view of the action. This is the first year we will start to join up those spits and get a more 'total' picture of what’s going on. [caption id="attachment_1935" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] David and Michael detect in the Killing Zone[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1934" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Keanie and Sam investigating a flagged site.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1933" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] The team having fun over some badly 'fouled' balls (musket of course!) found in the Killing Zone. Very black and likely re-enactor.[/caption] Prof Tony Pollard has been excited by the finds so far: We have been finding grapeshot – a kind of iron artillery shot, that is smaller than a golf ball, but fired in groups in bags or tins like a giant shot gun shell, and very effective against infantry. Now these have been found scattered across the Killing Zone where we have evidence for really heavy fighting, and given their location our initial interpretation is that these are French artillery fire directed against the wall. This cannon might have been deployed to rake the wall with shot and push back the defenders to support the infantry attack. It looks increasingly likely that the french got over the wall at this point, possibly after the wall was cleared by cannon shot. This year we continue to look inside the garden for evidence of this incursion. [caption id="attachment_1940" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Anna, a navy veteran cleaning a piece of grapeshot ready for photographing.[/caption] Also today we opened up three new trenches in the courtyard and excavation is beginning to start here in earnest. The interior of the Hougoumont complex was left in ruins in the days following the battle. Some buildings left derelict fell neglected and structures were demolished completely. [caption id="attachment_1936" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Phil's team search for more building remains![/caption] Last year Phil Harding’s team discovered fascinating evidence of building foundations relating to the stables and a substantial culvert. This year aims to build on this work chasing these remains and uncovering even more of the building footprint. Based on the work last year, it would seem that these building remains match up with the alignment shown on a cadastral plan of the complex from 1816. With more uncovered, we will be able to prove if these building remains were in fact standing at the time of the battle, giving us a clearer insight into the fighting conditions inside the complex and a better understanding of the nature of the buildings at the time of the battle. Today has been a hard day in this area, hand digging from ground level in order to get down on to the archaeology. Recording has only just begun! [caption id="attachment_1937" align="aligncenter" width="673"] Last year's Trench 45, showing the line of the 3D-modelled building remains overlain on a historic plan.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1938" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Dorothy and Anna completing context sheets for Trench 62.[/caption] Another exciting part of the day was welcoming two French and Belgian Historians, François Houdecek and Bernard Coppens, to see the excavations and share their invaluable knowledge of the battle. Both are experts of the Napoleonic wars (François is a member of the Fondation Napoleon, and Bernard has authored seminal works on the Battle of Waterloo), and it was fascinating to compare accounts and share different viewpoints across our international team. [caption id="attachment_1939" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Dominique Bosquet of SPW, showing François and Bernard around Hougoumont.[/caption] One particular point of interest shared between all involved, was a point of difference as to why the French chose Hougoumont as their first target for attack at 11am on the day of the battle. The British explanation was always broadly that Hougoumont was targeted as a diversionary tactic, to draw Wellington’s forces away from the centre line, so that it could be weakened and easily broken through. The French accounts seem to offer another perspective however, which suggest that both Napoleon and Prince Jérôme who mounted the particular attack on Hougoumont, were simply unaware of the Chateau or ‘Castle’, and their actual objective was just to clear the woods of skirmishers. [caption id="attachment_1941" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Roundtable discussion of the Waterloo project directors and Bernard and François.[/caption] We hope that François and Bernard found the experience equally as edifying and we would be thrilled to welcome them back next year! Click here to browse François's publications. Click here to learn more about Bernard's seminal work on the battle "Waterloo les mensonges: Les manipulations de l'histoire enfin révélées".

Reading to Remember

[cs_content][cs_section parallax="false" separator_top_type="none" separator_top_height="50px" separator_top_inset="0px" separator_top_angle_point="50" separator_bottom_type="none" separator_bottom_height="50px" separator_bottom_inset="0px" separator_bottom_angle_point="50" _label="Section 1" style="margin: 0px;padding: 0px 0px 2%;"][cs_row inner_container="true" marginless_columns="false" style="margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;"][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/1" style="padding: 0px;"][cs_text class="cs-ta-center"]Reading to Remember[/cs_text][x_gap size="40px"][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container="true" marginless_columns="false" style="margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;"][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/2" style="padding: 0px;"][cs_text]Over 200 years after it took place on the 18th June 1815, the Battle of Waterloo’s dramatic story is still recounted around the world. It has everything it takes to be memorable: high stakes, large death toll, famous commanders... No narrative, however, can truly capture the complexity of the thousands of individuals whose lives were woven together into the fabric of history that day, and those many lives cut short. But maybe by reading the accounts from those who survived, we can remember them all. Reading to Remember is a relay reading over 11 hours, roughly the duration of the battle. In remembrance of those who fought it 200 years ago, Waterloo Uncovered participants — archaeologists, students, soldiers and veterans — take turns reading accounts of the Battle of Waterloo, in the different languages spoken there. The event takes place in the chapel at Hougoumont, where the wounded took refuge in 1815. It’s a poignant way to link past and present, and while it is intended as both a remembrance and fundraising event, it has surprised us by being the source of very strong reactions from those who read or listened. Some are touched by the similarities between the experiences of soldiers in 1815 and modern day soldiers, others, by the atmosphere of the chapel during this multilingual litany. All get to reflect, sometimes very emotionally, on the human experience, and on the cost of Waterloo. The readings are recorded, giving the public — and those who want to kindly sponsor our participants — an occasion to hear stories from the battle, told in the voices of our team and in the unique acoustic of the chapel.[/cs_text][x_gap size="10px"][x_creative_cta padding="25px 25px 25px 25px" text="Explore the readings of the 2017 edition!" font_size="36px" icon="play-circle-o" icon_size="48px" animation="slide-top" link="/battle-of-waterloo/readings-archive/" target="blank" color="hsl(0, 0%, 100%)" bg_color="hsl(211, 87%, 30%)" bg_color_hover="hsl(211, 87%, 30%)"][x_gap size="10px"][/cs_column][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/2" class="cs-ta-justify" style="padding: 0;"][cs_element_text _id="13" ][cs_element_gap _id="14" ][cs_element_video _id="15" ][cs_element_gap _id="16" ][x_raw_content](function (d) {var jg = d.createElement('script');jg.type = 'text/javascript';jg.async = true;jg.src = (d.location.protocol == 'https:' ? 'https://widgets.justgiving.com/campaign-summary-card/host.js' :'http://widgets.justgiving.com/campaign-summary-card/host.js');var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(jg, s);})(document);[/x_raw_content][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container="true" marginless_columns="false" _label="New Item 3" class="cs-ta-center" style="margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;"][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/1" style="padding: 0px;"] [/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content][cs_content_seo]Reading to Remember Over 200 years after it took place on the 18th June 1815, the Battle of Waterloo’s dramatic story is still recounted around the world. It has everything it takes to be memorable: high stakes, large death toll, famous commanders... No narrative, however, can truly capture the complexity of the thousands of individuals whose lives were woven together into the fabric of history that day, and those many lives cut short. But maybe by reading the accounts from those who survived, we can remember them all. Reading to Remember is a relay reading over 11 hours, roughly the duration of the battle. In remembrance of those who fought it 200 years ago, Waterloo Uncovered participants — archaeologists, students, soldiers and veterans — take turns reading accounts of the Battle of Waterloo, in the different languages spoken there. The event takes place in the chapel at Hougoumont, where the wounded took refuge in 1815. It’s a poignant way to link past and present, and while it is intended as both a remembrance and fundraising event, it has surprised us by being the source of very strong reactions from those who read or listened. Some are touched by the similarities between the experiences of soldiers in 1815 and modern day soldiers, others, by the atmosphere of the chapel during this multilingual litany. All get to reflect, sometimes very emotionally, on the human experience, and on the cost of Waterloo. The readings are recorded, giving the public — and those who want to kindly sponsor our participants — an occasion to hear stories from the battle, told in the voices of our team and in the unique acoustic of the chapel. Explore the readings of the 2017 edition! Reading to Remember 2018 (function (d) {var jg = d.createElement('script');jg.type = 'text/javascript';jg.async = true;jg.src = (d.location.protocol == 'https:' ? 'https://widgets.justgiving.com/campaign-summary-card/host.js' :'http://widgets.justgiving.com/campaign-summary-card/host.js');var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(jg, s);})(document); [/cs_content_seo]

Day 4 – Rain and Readings

Today’s dig started off rainy and overcast. This, however, did not dampen morale, and everyone was excited to get digging. Tents were set up over the trenches in the courtyard and the garden, which let us continue the excavations in these places. Luckily, it did not rain the entire day and we were able to dig in all the trenches. On top of the usual business, we held the Reading to Remember event. Discoveries were plentiful, with finds in all the trenches. Phil’s team, digging the trench in the courtyard near the north gate, has been looking for the stable block that was positioned here. The foundations of the buttresses that supported the building have been excavated and finds in that area include slate roof tiles and roof nails, which suggests that the roof of the building was made with slates. In the other trench in the courtyard, Emily’s trench, we are looking for the building foundations that were mentioned in yesterday’s dig diary. Today, we have found some pottery and glass shards, as well as getting to the post battle ground level. The team has to do a bit more digging. We are hoping to get to the walls very soon! The trench in the garden near the killing zone is ready to be closed off. The objects found here correspond to the finds on the other side of the wall. Heavy fighting occurred in this area, with the soldiers inside the wall trying to prevent the French from climbing over the wall. The musket balls that have been found are British, which corresponds with the battle accounts. The killing zone saw some action today as well. After the rain ended, the digging was picked up again, and led to more finds. Coins, buttons, musket balls etc. were discovered. In the coming days, another layer of ground will be excavated to see if there are more objects. A new trench has been opened up by Sam in the potato field behind the carpark. The area shows a geophysical anomaly, which can be a number of things. It might even be a grave. Given that the mass grave was supposed to be under the carpark, and wasn’t, this location is not far off. Potentially the painters brought the farm a bit closer in, as it would make the scene more recognisable, which means that the graves could be a bit further into the woods. We will be digging a trench over it, so that in the next couple of days we can resolve the question of what is there. The other big event today was Reading to Remember. The Waterloo Uncovered team, comprised of archaeologists soldiers and veterans, took turns reading accounts of the battle for about 10 hours, roughly the duration of the battle, in the chapel at Hougoumont farm, where the wounded took refuge in 1815. They read histories, and many personal and historical accounts of the Battle of Waterloo, piecing together the stories of those who fought it over 200 years ago, and for tens of thousands, lost their lives. Most of the readers had never performed for the public before and the readings were, for many, a challenge. The readings will soon be uploaded to this website, on our Reading to Remember page, and you can still sponsor readers for their hard work on our Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/waterloo-uncovered/reading-2017

Day 5 – Watermooo Uncovered

[caption id="attachment_1978" align="aligncenter" width="745"] Morning brief in the sun.[/caption] After the rain we had yesterday, today was incredibly sunny. Luckily, the tents provide some shade, but Cornelius’ “don’t forget to wear sunscreen and drink enough water” is still the slogan of this dig. We also had some interesting guests who were very interested in one of our new trenches, namely some bovine archaeologists (Thank you for all of the great responses to the tweet!). [caption id="attachment_1982" align="aligncenter" width="721"] Our bovine archaeologists exploring the new trench.[/caption] The trenches have continuously yielding finds. In the courtyard, both Emily’ and Sats’ team have found a musket ball, which are French and British, and have been fired in the courtyard. Sats’ trench has revealed a large deposit of stones, which may be anything from a part of a wall of the east side of the stable block or a dumpsite for some stones. Emily’s team have also found the wall they have been looking for. It does not, however, line up with the wall that Phil found last year, which can mean that this is an inner wall of the building. Phil’s trench has revealed more of what was thought to be the foundation of the buttresses. However, as more of the possible foundation was exposed, it was found that it is a part of an old road. [caption id="attachment_1979" align="aligncenter" width="937"] The road near the north gate.[/caption] The digging in the potato field has been continuing, and Sam’s team have now cleared the ploughing ground level. The team have been alternating between digging in the potato field and the killing zone. The killing zone has also been a flurry of activity. The main finds have been musket balls, and some iron pieces. A track of stones has been found running through the centre of the trenches, which may be a road that would have run behind the hedge. This path leads to the large stone deposit that was found in another one of the trenches. [caption id="attachment_1980" align="aligncenter" width="775"] The path running through the centre of the trench.[/caption] Some other great finds from the killing zone include a musket tool, found by Sam. This is the first time we have found such an object! More grape shots have been found, and the musket balls that have been found are heavily impacted from hitting the wall. Sam says about this: “As far as we know, there was a hedge along the edge of the wood as well, which would have been relatively thick, so you could easily hide behind it to fire out, or fire through it. You’d have thought that there was some kind of organisation where you’d have blokes giving covering fire, trying to get all of their heads down, and then another team of blokes would try and charge across. You’d think.” [caption id="attachment_1981" align="aligncenter" width="938"] The Musket tool discovered in the Killing Zone (photo by Sam Wilson).[/caption] Another exciting find has been a shot embedded in clay, found by Gary. The trajectory of the ball is visible, which means that we know the direction and the angle of the shootings. In the words of Tony, “some proper CSI”.

Day 6 – Today, we fight

With the prospect of a relaxing weekend, everyone was eager to start digging today. The digging continued in all of the trenches, as well as in the new trench in the orchard and at Mont Saint Jean. [caption id="attachment_1988" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The group, gathered for briefing.[/caption] At the end of the day, everyone went on a tour of the excavations. Everyone got to see what has been happening in the trenches and what has been discovered. Our tour of the grounds started in Phil’s trench near the Northern gate. This trench has revealed quite a bit; however, the exact nature of the finds remains unclear. A doorway has been revealed, with its cornerstones, and the team will continue to dig around this area to expose more of the doorway. [caption id="attachment_1989" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Phil explaining what has been found.[/caption] Emily’s trench has revealed a piece of a wall, which may also be a doorway. The excavation has revealed that the entryway continues onto the right of the trench, so an additional area will be dug out to see where the doorway ends. The other team working in the courtyard, led by Sats, has been digging at different levels in the trench. The different levels have been dug to pursue possible finds in that trench. However, the finds have been limited, so as a next step another layer of ground will be excavated. [caption id="attachment_1990" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The group gathered around Emily’s trench.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1991" align="aligncenter" width="590"] The different levels in Sats’ trench.[/caption] The killing zone is proving to be a steady source of finds. Numerous grapeshots, musketballs, coins, and other metal pieces have been found. Next week, the teams will continue to excavate the trenches and taking off another layer of earth. [caption id="attachment_1992" align="aligncenter" width="590"] At the killing zone.[/caption] Excavations at Mont Saint Jean have been progressing steadily. The consisting trenches will be extended next week. Take a look at the video to learn more about what has been going on at this location. [x_video_embed type="16:9"] [/x_video_embed] However, not the entire day consisted of digging. A lucky few got a lesson in bayonet fighting with wooden rifles. The history of bayonet fighting was explained, as well as fighting techniques. Matt Easton, together with Charlie, gave a quick run-through on how to handle a bayonet and how it can be used.

Day 7 – Winter is coming

After a well-deserved weekend in which we either explored what Belgium had to offer or the poolside of the hotel, the group was ready to get back to work. Although the weather was drab and cold, we have made some great progress, and everyone was excited to be back on site. However, people were also very eager to get off site at the end of the day, as today was Game of Thrones day. [caption id="attachment_2011" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Getting the equipment ready for another day of digging.[/caption] Instead of trying to describe what both sites look like, Peter Ginn has made a video that shows you around the different sites at Hougoumont, as well as the site of Mont Saint Jean. This provides a more concrete image of where we are digging, and what is being found. [x_video_embed type="16:9"][/x_video_embed] We were visited by Dutch children’s author Rob Ruggenberg, who writes historical youth novels. He is currently in between books and is doing research for a new one. He was guided around the grounds by Charlie, and received explanations about the excavations from the Dutch veterans and students that are on site. [caption id="attachment_2012" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Rob, Charlotte and Charlie going over the excavation data[/caption] All the while, the work continued all over site. In Phil’s trench, excavations continued on the doorway as well as on the possible road running past the stables. At this point, it is believed that the road is from after the destruction of Hougoumont. [caption id="attachment_2013" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Steve excavating the remains of the road[/caption] Another trench was dug in the courtyard, in between Emily’s and Sats’ trench. Both the trenches are part of a larger one, and the new trench is the centre portion of this large one. Towards the end of the day, a part of a wall was discovered, which also aligns with the walls that have been found in Emily’s trench. [caption id="attachment_2014" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Peter is doing the preparatory work for the new trench[/caption] The work in the Killing zone slowed down a bit today, mainly due to the rain, but there were still some finds, such as musket balls and grapeshot. [caption id="attachment_2018" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Gary working in the killing field[/caption] In the office, progress is also being made. L – P : Archaeology is working on creating a 3-D walk around of the area in and around Hougoumont. In order to create this 3-D map, the team is using a 360° camera and cycling around. This is in turn mounted to a hard hat, which results in the following: a Flo-Pro. [caption id="attachment_2006" align="aligncenter" width="590"] the Flo-pro[/caption] Another project that L – P are working on is the Photo project. Old photographs that have been taken of Hougoumont are geotagged and are placed on a digital map. This will hopefully create a full picture of what the place used to look like and what the damage was. So, if you find any old photographs of Hougoumont, or its surrounding areas, please send them to us at info@waterloouncovered.com For the debriefing, the entire group moved over to Mont Saint Jean, to see what has been discovered there. [caption id="attachment_2017" align="aligncenter" width="936"] At Mont Saint Jean[/caption] James talked about the finds in the excavations. [x_blockquote type="center"]"We were looking at some geophysical anomalies that turned up, to try and find out what they are, so that is what this big trench behind me is. Sadly, that is 1980's and 1990's rubble from when they built the road. Other than that, that is literally it."[/x_blockquote] [caption id="attachment_2010" align="aligncenter" width="939"] James talking about what has been found[/caption] When we returned to the hotel, a large group came together to watch Game of Thrones. Together, we enjoyed the first episode of the final season and went through a rage of emotions. We won't spoil, but Winter has finally come.

Day 8 – Waterloo Uncovered makes the news

Water and sun cream was our main priority today. After a dreary Monday, Tuesday was sunny and hot. While the sun was much appreciated, many have said that they in fact preferred the rain. Despite the heat, we have recovered some interesting objects in interesting locations. [caption id="attachment_2027" align="aligncenter" width="939"] Looking for shade[/caption] The most interesting find was at Mont Saint Jean. While digging, the team stumbled on two live rounds of ammunition from the Second World War. The authorities were called in, and the objects were removed from the excavation. The site is now being wrapped up, with just some recording going on. In the killing field, objects continue to be discovered in the eastern corner of the excavation. Another trench has been opened towards the west, which amazingly had nothing or very little objects in it. This shows that the amount of finds in the eastern corner are real, and, as Tony said “not just a figment of our sampling, which is exactly what we wanted.” There are some archaeological features there as well, mainly the path that is leading through the centre of the trenches. This will continue to be excavated over the next couple of days, but no new trenches will be opened up. [caption id="attachment_2028" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Camille measuring the height of the trench[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2029" align="aligncenter" width="936"] John clearing out the trench[/caption] Sam’s trench in the potato field has been found to be nothing more than a clearance pit as suspected. There was a bronze button right underneath it. The two anomalies that had been spotted have been discovered have been excavated, but it most certainly isn’t a mass grave. The work in the courtyard is going great. Walls have been found and the digging continues to reveal more and more of it. In Phil’s trench, the walls have yielded another treasure, namely three British musket balls and one French musket ball. This provides the concrete evidence of the battle of the north gate, which was lacking until now. At this point, we can say with certainty that the north gate was breached by the French and that there was heavy fighting in the courtyard. [caption id="attachment_2031" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Phil revealing another layer of brick[/caption] Both Emily’s and Sats’ trenches have provided more information about the buildings that stood there. The doorway that was found in Emily’s trench is no longer a doorway, but the end of the building, with another building starting a bit further to the right. This indicates that there were multiple buildings which were not connected to each other. [caption id="attachment_2032" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Sats and Peter measuring the width of the anomaly in the trench[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2033" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Emily, Dorothy and John measuring the distance between the rocks and the end of the trench[/caption] We received some great press coverage today as well. A crew from ITN News at Ten came by, and filmed all over site. The segment has already aired, and it can be found online on the ITV Hub, starting at 26:36. A local Belgian newspaper also wrote an article about the project (in French) which can be found here. The British Forces Broadcasting Services (BFBS) also visited us. Their segment will be up on Wednesday or Thursday. [caption id="attachment_2034" align="aligncenter" width="939"] Phil being interviewed by BFBS[/caption]

Day 9 – A Coldstream Guard’s Button

The Weird-Wobbly-Wednesday-Dip has kicked in full force. People were tired, and when we arrived on site it was hot and muggy, which did not help the situation in any way. The temperature dropped considerably after the thunderstorm which arrived around midday, which was much appreciated. The archaeology has not slowed down in any way though, and we have recovered numerous objects. [caption id="attachment_2042" align="aligncenter" width="938"] Lightning near Mont de Lion. Photo credits to James Earley[/caption] In the killing zone, Eva’s team is excavating the fire pit. It was thought to be reenactor, which wouldn’t have surprised us, given past experiences. However, 19th century pottery has been found in it, as well as a roofing tile. It is possibly post battle, but it might relate to the repair of the wall. [caption id="attachment_2043" align="aligncenter" width="936"] The fire pit in the killing zone[/caption] There have been some great discoveries in the last trench in the killing zone. Gary and Stu were sweeping the area just to make sure that there was nothing there, and came across another musket repair tool and a spur. [caption id="attachment_2044" align="aligncenter" width="938"] The spur[/caption] Sam has finished excavation of the pit in the potato field. It is nothing more than a field clearance pit, as suspected. Directly underneath it was a button from the battle, which means that the pit post-dates the battle. Apart from the button, the team has also recovered a grapeshot and a musket ball. In the courtyard, the trenches are coming on amazingly. Emily’s and Sats’ trenches are coming to an end, and have raised more questions than answers, but a few questions have been answered. [caption id="attachment_2045" align="aligncenter" width="936"] The trenches in the courtyard[/caption] Phil’s trench near the North Gate has proven to be incredibly interesting and has proven itself to be worthy of more investigation. Next year, the plan is to extend the area of excavation along that wall. The team has found very deep traces of demolition and fire deposits. To top all of the finds, the team discovered a Coldstream Guards button, which seems to be, most likely, from the period, and has some fire damage. In the same location, silver thread was found, which was used to embroider the epaulets of the Coldstream guards’ uniforms. This was an amazing discovery on top of the musket balls that were found there. The courtyard has surpassed expectations. It already looked promising last year, and it has continuously proven itself. [caption id="attachment_2046" align="aligncenter" width="936"] The button[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2047" align="aligncenter" width="936"] The silver thread[/caption] James’ team up on Mont Saint Jean will hopefully be finished by tomorrow. They have accomplished a lot today, and will continue to wrap up things up there. Finally, the French metal detectorists who came in on Tuesday have found a number of interesting objects in the pond area beyond the north gate. They have found a Grenadier’s badge, which came off of a French ammunition pouch.

Day 10 – Touring the trenches

The project is starting to come to a close. After a week and a half of digging and excavation, the teams are now in the process of recording the finds, finalising the drawings and graphs and cleaning out the trench for final photographing. [caption id="attachment_2059" align="aligncenter" width="936"] The group gathered for the morning briefing[/caption] We only had a short day, with a tour of the trenches starting at 2 pm. It was interesting to see the final results of the trenches, especially compared to last week. It was great to see the progress that was made, and there were quite a lot of interesting objects that were recovered. [caption id="attachment_2060" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Walking toward the end of the formal garden[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2061" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Bradley and Andrew[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2062" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Gathering around Sats’ trench in the courtyard[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2063" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Veronique and Emily at Emily’s trench[/caption] Walking around the trenches, the progress that has been made in a week was truly incredible.Where there was just a path in the first week, the excavations in the second week have revealed a foundation of a large barn. A piece of a wall that was thought to be a part of a doorway turned out to be the end of a building, with another building starting a few meters over. The killing grounds proved to be a major source of objects. We have found objects in this year’s excavation that we hadn’t come across in previous excavations. In the formal garden, we have found evidence of French presence, namely French and English musket balls, which completely goes against any history that has been written. The garden was reportedly never breached by the French, but this evidence suggests something else. Evidence for the battle in the courtyard has been found in the form of musket balls retrieved from the trenches there. Both French and English, we now have actual archaeological evidence for the battle. If you want to know more about the finds, have a look at the previous dig diaries. After the tour of the trenches, a part of the group went up to the lion mount to visit the museum there, but also to walk up the mount and take in the panorama of the battlefield. Another part of the group stayed behind to look at a demonstration of firing a musket. A friend of one of the Dutch soldiers is a reenactor and brought out three firing muskets. It was impressive to see one being fired, especially since we have been excavating many musket balls. [caption id="attachment_2065" align="aligncenter" width="940"] A reenactor in Prussian Uniform[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2067" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Camille with a musket[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2068" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Showing how to use a bayonet to defend against cavalry[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2069" align="aligncenter" width="1896"] Ian firing a musket[/caption] All in all, we had a short but very interesting day. It was great to see the objects that were recovered over the past two weeks and to learn more about the battle itself, both in the museum and with the musket demonstration.

Day 11 – The Last Day

It was a weird feeling coming on site this morning. The team was ready to get back to work, but at the same time, we all knew that this would be our last day at Hougoumont. The tasks for the day was to backfill all the trenches, finalise all the drawings and paperwork, and clean up around site. [caption id="attachment_2075" align="aligncenter" width="936"] The last morning brief[/caption] The trenches in the killing zone were already filled back up by the digger on Thursday. The trenches in the courtyard and in the potato field had to backfilled by hand as it was impossible to get the digger in there. The teams worked hard and the trenches were backfilled quickly. [caption id="attachment_2076" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Backfilling the trench near the north gate[/caption] With the backfilling done, the other task of the day was to clean up the area. The tents were taken down, the office was cleaned up and the water bottles in the garden were all moved inside. After the cleaning was done at Hougoumont, one part of the group went back to the hotel, and another part went to the museum at Mont Saint Jean. The museum showed many objects from the battle, ranging from muskets to surgical kits. [caption id="attachment_2077" align="aligncenter" width="940"] The field hospital of Mont Saint Jean[/caption] So, we are done for this year. It is quite a bittersweet feeling. The excavation was successful, we made many new friends, and learned a great deal. On the other hand, it was hard to say goodbye to Hougoumont, which has become our home in the past two weeks, as well as saying ...

Reading to Remember 2017 – Reading #7

[cs_content][cs_section parallax="false" separator_top_type="none" separator_top_height="50px" separator_top_angle_point="50" separator_bottom_type="none" separator_bottom_height="50px" separator_bottom_angle_point="50" style="margin: 0px;padding: 0px 0px 2%;"][cs_row inner_container="false" marginless_columns="false" style="margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;"][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/1" style="padding: 0px;"][cs_text class="cs-ta-center"]Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles, chapter 10 Text written and kindly provided by Bernard Cornwell. Read by John A, Adam, Rod and Steve W.[/cs_text][x_gap size="30px"][x_video_embed no_container="false" type="16:9"][/x_video_embed][x_gap size="30px"][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container="false" marginless_columns="false" style="margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;"][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/2" style="padding: 0px;"][cs_text class="cs-ta-center"]Want to read the text?[/cs_text][x_gap size="30px"][x_button type="flat" shape="square" size="x-large" block="true" circle="false" icon_only="false" href="https://www.waterloouncovered.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/7-Cornwell-Waterloo-chapt-10-JohnA-Adam-Rod-SteveW.pdf" title="" target="blank" info="tooltip" info_place="top" info_trigger="hover" info_content=""][x_icon type="file-text-o" class="mvn mln mrs"]Get this reading as a PDF ![/x_button][x_gap size="30px"][x_button type="flat" shape="square" size="x-large" block="true" circle="false" icon_only="false" href="https://www.waterloouncovered.com/learn/the-battle-of-waterloo/readings-archive/" title="" target="blank" info="tooltip" info_place="top" info_trigger="hover" info_content=""][x_icon type="play-circle" class="mvn mln mrs"]Explore other readings[/x_button][/cs_column][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/2" class="cs-ta-center" style="padding: 0px;"][cs_text class="cs-ta-center"]You can still sponsor the 2017 readers[/cs_text][x_gap size="30px"][x_raw_content][/x_raw_content][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

Reading to Remember 2017 – Reading #10

[cs_content][cs_section parallax="false" separator_top_type="none" separator_top_height="50px" separator_top_angle_point="50" separator_bottom_type="none" separator_bottom_height="50px" separator_bottom_angle_point="50" style="margin: 0px;padding: 0px 0px 2%;"][cs_row inner_container="false" marginless_columns="false" style="margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;"][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/1" style="padding: 0px;"][cs_text class="cs-ta-center"]Passage from La campagne de 1815 aux Pays Bas, by F. De Bas, and Comte J. de T'serclaes. Read by Lieutenant-colonel C.J.C.H. (Corstiaan) de Haan MA.[/cs_text][x_gap size="30px"][x_video_embed no_container="false" type="16:9"][/x_video_embed][x_gap size="30px"][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container="false" marginless_columns="false" style="margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;"][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/2" style="padding: 0px;"][cs_text class="cs-ta-center"]Transcript not available at this stage.[/cs_text][x_gap size="30px"][x_button type="flat" shape="square" size="x-large" block="true" circle="false" icon_only="false" href="https://www.waterloouncovered.com/learn/the-battle-of-waterloo/readings-archive/" title="" target="blank" info="tooltip" info_place="top" info_trigger="hover" info_content=""][x_icon type="play-circle" class="mvn mln mrs"]Explore other readings[/x_button][/cs_column][cs_column fade="false" fade_animation="in" fade_animation_offset="45px" fade_duration="750" type="1/2" class="cs-ta-center" style="padding: 0px;"][cs_text class="cs-ta-center"]You can still sponsor the 2017 readers[/cs_text][x_gap size="30px"][x_raw_content][/x_raw_content][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]

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